Beyond the Numbers: Improving Postsecondary Success through a Central Texas High School Data Center, PRP 148

Abstract

In 2004, the LBJ School's Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources and Skillpoint Alliance began collaborating to design and implement an approach to documenting the experiences of Central Texas high school graduates over time and to using this information to help the region's education, civic and business leaders improve postsecondary education and labor market outcomes. The Great Austin Chamber of Commerce both initiated and served as a major funder of this effort. The Texas Education Agency provided financial support as well. This policy research project report presents the results of the first phase of this effort, making the case for a Central Texas High School Graduate Data Center, describing best practices from around the country, and outlining immediate plans and next steps for the Data Center.