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July 31, 2009
A postscript on the Hispanic enrollment challenge
I have a story running today about the latest report on the state’s progress in closing higher education gaps between Texas and other states and, within Texas, between racial and ethnic groups.
The lagging pace of postsecondary enrollment rates for Hispanics is a matter of growing alarm for officials of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Here’s some more fine print about the challenge ahead:
The state’s goal is to have 1,650,000 students enrolled at public and private institutions in 2015. Progress hasn’t been too shabby since the plan, known as Closing the Gaps by 2015, was adopted in 2000. Enrollment has risen from 1,019,517 that year to 1,299,058 last year, the most recent figure available.
But here’s the thing: To meet the 2015 target — with Hispanics, African Americans and whites all having 5.7 percent of their populations enrolled in accordance with the goal — 309,222 of the 350,942 new students, or 88 percent, would have to be Hispanics. That’s a tall order.
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July 29, 2009
Meetings to focus on minority enrollment
A professor whose research focuses on the education of low-income and minority students will meet at Austin Community College’s Riverside campus at 4:30 p.m. today with residents of the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.
ACC students, staff members and local officials also will attend. The event, in Room 8100 of Building G, is open to the public. The campus is at 1020 Grove Blvd.
Patricia Gandara is a professor of education at the University of California, Los Angeles. During her visit to Austin, she will also address the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at its meeting Thursday.
The board’s agenda also includes an update from its staff on efforts to enroll more minority students at colleges and universities. The update is expected to show that Texas is falling farther behind its goals for Hispanics, the fastest-growing segment of the population.
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December 9, 2008
Chamber to outline enrollment findings
The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce today will outline the results thus far of its initiative to increase higher education enrollment.
The chamber sees increased enrollment as crucial to the economic and intellectual well-being of the Austin area. Findings will be discussed at the Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus.
Meanwhile, the chamber’s board has adopted two recommendations for the state Legislature regarding the Texas Grant program, a major need-based aid program.
The chamber said students who are “college ready” as demonstrated by their performance on the SAT and other assessments should be first in line to receive the grant. In addition, the chamber said, the Texas Grant program should be enhanced by the addition of $600 million for the next two years.
“The weakness in the secondary student lending markets, the rapidly escalating cost of college tuition, the small per-unit increases in federal Pell Grants and the rising premium of college-educated talent mean this short-term infusion coupled with eligibility adjustments can keep Texas students on track — and better academically prepared,” said Drew Scheberle, the chamber’s senior vice president for education and talent development.
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