The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the Texas "Closing the Gaps by 2015" plan to increase Hispanic enrollment into and graduation from institutions of higher education. This study uses Interrupted Time Series with Comparison Group to analyze 26 years of student cohorts in Texas universities. Controlling for…

Community colleges across the country are plagued with tight budgets--caused in part by state disinvestment and chronic federal underfunding. For rural community colleges, these challenges are even more acute, as their needs are greater and the costs of providing services higher. The COVID-19 pandemic has only deepened the prosperity gap between…

This report provides six mini-case studies of higher education policy reforms enacted in other states, exploring the important role that state policy leadership played in developing, promoting, and implementing these policies aimed at improving higher education outcomes, and discussing the relevance of each reform effort for California. This…

In 2009, the National Center for Postsecondary Research (NCPR) launched an evaluation of eight developmental summer bridge programs in Texas to assess whether these programs reduce the need for developmental coursework and improve student outcomes in college. The evaluation uses an experimental design to measure the effects of these programs on…

This higher education plan for Texas outlines the goals of closing the gaps in higher education participation and success, in educational excellence, and in funded research over the next 15 years. It outlines the four challenges that are the most critical to overcome for the future well-being of Texas. These challenges are presented as goals. The…

Based on the premise that the earliest years of a child's life are key to predicting ultimate success in school and life, this Texas Kids Count Project report examines early childhood education in the state, focusing on children from low-income families. The report discusses the importance of the early years of life for neurological development…

In July of 1986, the Legislative Budget Board requested that the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) provide information concerning the number of absences in DHS-paid child day care during fiscal year 1985, and the costs associated with the absences. To fulfill this request, DHS conducted a study to (1) identify by provider type the numbers…

Building on two previous studies in 1997 and 1999, this study aimed to: (1) determine whether the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) has had a positive impact on students academic performance; (2) determine the perception of the TASP among key community, junior, and technical college personnel across Texas; and (3) determine the impact on…

This report was prepared in response to a mandate by the Texas legislature to study issues relating to the nursing shortage in Texas, career mobility among the various nursing programs, and collaboration among schools in geographic proximity. The data from the study were drawn from five public hearings, a survey of 60 nursing program directors,…

During 1980-81, 189 Texas school districts and 6 special projects provided programs designed to meet the needs of 111,703 migrant children. Programs provided instructional (reading, mathematics, English language arts) and noninstructional support (dental and medical services, transportation, clothing) services. Parental involvement and student…

This report discusses the enrollment of females and males by vocational education program in Texas for fiscal years 1984 through 1987. Figures and tables depict the percentages of females and males enrolled in each of the vocational programs on the secondary and postsecondary levels. Additional tables in the appendixes reveal other status…

This report presents an evaluation of a state implemented prekindergarten program for disadvantaged 4-year-old children in Texas in light of the program's impact on the largest urban school districts. The purpose of the program was to break the cycle of school failure and underachievement of disadvantaged and limited English proficient children.…

This study examined the impact of state budget cuts on public colleges and universities in six states, focusing on the effects of such cuts on institutional priorities and plans, tuition and fees, and educational quality. Five state higher education finance officers, 12 state college or university system finance officers, and 98 college or…

This document reports on a range of issues, tasks, and accomplishments of the Committee on Higher Education of the 72nd Texas Legislature of the State of Texas. The report opens by listing charges to the committee in the following areas: (1) tuition and fees and causes and effects of recent increases; (2) need for student financial aid; (3) role,…

This document reports on the progress of various vocational education initiatives in Texas during 1981-85 and outlines some of the steps to be taken in the future. The report first describes the need for educational planning, especially in light of world events, and outlines a master plan for vocational education from kindergarten through…