Harris County
C-How well are we preparing our students?
The capacity of Texas schools to prepare students for college varies significantly by community. The Texas Education Scorecard uses the most recent data available on the key milestones in a student’s journey through the “education pipeline,” from their first days in school to higher education. The Scorecard assigns letter grades using five key indicators of “leaks” in the education pipeline that signal challenges in student preparation or transitions between educational stages. A letter grade of “C” indicates that a county is close to the statewide and county average.
Most recent data on Harris County students
School Readiness
C+61% Do not meet 3rd grade reading standards
Transition to High School
C-10.7% Must repeat the 9th Grade
High School Success
D+8% Drop out of high school
Transition to College
C+49.4% of high school graduates don't enroll in Texas colleges
College Success
C52.2% of students enrolled in Texas colleges don’t graduate
Select another countyHow can we improve?
Many policies and practices have proven to be effective in moving students from their first steps in school to higher education. See how your county compares on the following policy and practice indicators that affect school readiness, education funding, transitions to college, and adult and postsecondary students.
Policies and practices to help Harris County…
Set up youngest and neediest students for success
Pre-K Participation Rates
Estimated percentage of eligible children enrolling in public Pre-K
Adequately & equitably fund schools
Average Funding Per Student
Average funding per student, adjusted for student and district characteristics
Range of Per-Student Funding Within CountyDistricts within county with lowest and highest revenue per student, adjusted for student and district characteristics |
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CHARTER SCHOOL $5,182 Lowest Revenue Per Student |
- |
SHELDON ISD $6,087 Highest Revenue Per Student |
Prepare students for successful transitions to college
Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Enrollment Rate
Percentage of 9th-12th graders enrolled in AP or IB courses
Dual Credit Enrollment Rate
Percentage of 9th-12th graders enrolled in courses offering both high school and college credit
FAFSA Completion Rate
Percentage of 12th graders completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (application for college financial aid) by June of their senior year
College Readiness Rate
Percentage of students entering post-secondary education deemed “college-ready”
Help adult students advance in their education goals with financial security
| GED Testing Rate | |
|---|---|
| GED test takers in county | 4378 |
| Adults >25 without a HS diploma | 566000 |
| Testing Rate | 0.8% |
| Top County Rate | 3.2% |
| Texas Overall Rate | N/A% |
| Share of students at community colleges who take out loans they are unable to repay | |
|---|---|
| Alvin Community College | 17.7% |
| Lee College | 22.8% |
| San Jacinto Community College District | 17.1% |
| Houston Community College | 22.2% |
| Lone Star College-North Harris | 17.8% |
| Texas | 20.1% |
| Avg of Top 6 Colleges | 12% |
| Avg of Bottom 6 Colleges | 26.1% |
| Share of students in Adult Basic Education programs making educational gains | |
|---|---|
| Houston Galveston Area Council | 51.2% |
| Texas | 72% |
| Avg of Top 6 Grant Recipients | 77% |
| Avg of Bottom 6 Grant Recipients | 33% |
| Number of students enrolled in Career Pathways Programs (integrated education and job training) | |
|---|---|
| Houston Galveston Area Council | 449 |
| Texas | 25,000 |
How well are we preparing all our students?
Texas must prepare all students for future success. Data show schools struggle to be successful with all of their students, particularly those who are low-income or students of color.
School Readiness
Transition to High School
High School Success
Transition to College
College Success
Economically Disadvantaged Students
School Readiness
Do not meet 3rd grade reading standards
Transition to High School
Must repeat the 9th Grade
High School Success
Drop out of high school
Transition to College
Of high school graduates don't enroll in Texas Colleges
College Success
Of enrolled Texas College Students don't graduate
Latino Students
School Readiness
Do not meet 3rd grade reading standards
Transition to High School
Must repeat the 9th Grade
High School Success
Drop out of high school
Transition to College
Of high school graduates don't enroll in Texas Colleges
College Success
Of enrolled Texas College Students don't graduate**
White Students
School Readiness
Do not meet 3rd grade reading standards
Transition to High School
Must repeat the 9th Grade
High School Success
Drop out of high school
Transition to College
Of high school graduates don't enroll in Texas Colleges
College Success
Of enrolled Texas College Students don't graduate**
Black/African American Students
School Readiness
Do not meet 3rd grade reading standards
Transition to High School
Must repeat the 9th Grade
High School Success
Drop out of high school
Transition to College
Of high school graduates don't enroll in Texas Colleges
College Success
Of enrolled Texas College Students don't graduate**
Public School Enrollment in Harris County (PreK-12)
| Economically Disadvantaged | Hispanic/Latino | Black/African-American | White | Other+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County: 889,732 total students | 62.7% | 54.8% | 19.3% | 18.4% | 7.5% |
| Texas: 5,232,065 total students | 58.7% | 52% | 12.6% | 29% | 6.4% |
For more information on the data and grade calculations, download the Methodology and Sources.
Contact updates@cppp.org for more information on the Texas Education Scorecard
*Data for Education Service Center
**Data for Higher Ed Region
+ "Other" includes students who identify as Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or multi-racial.