Rural Student Success Initiative Maria Luna-Torres, PhD Project Director Maria.luna-torres@ag.tamu.edu
Initiative’s Goals ◉ Research pilot study funded by the Greater Texas Foundation & T.L.L. Temple Foundation, & Meadows Foundation ◉ Collaborative community effort to create a college-going culture by raising awareness about all postsecondary options ◉ Leverage the existing AgriLife county extension office platform ◉ 250 county extension offices statewide ◉ Ultimate goal is to increase postsecondary access, and completion of a higher education degree or credential , for underrepresented, rural student populations .
Rural Landscape in Texas Source: Texas Rural Funders Collaborative, November 2018
Need for College Access in Rural Communities Texas has the largest number of rural students (NCES, 2018) Of all schools in Texas, 38 percent are considered to be in rural areas (TEA, 2015-2016) 58.8% of all K-12 students are considered economically disadvantaged (TEA, 2017-2018) State’s Master plan for Higher Education ◉ 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree by 2030 (THECB, 2015) ◉ Supports the economic future of the state
Differences in Postsecondary Access and Completion by Economic Status Not Economically Disadvantaged Economically Disadvantaged 100% 100% 100% 90% 84% 80% 73% 70% 62% 60% 50% 44% 40% 33% 30% 20% 14% 10% 0% 2007 eighth grade cohort Graduated from HS Enrolled in postsecondary Completed degree/certificate Source: Texas Tribune Higher Education Outcomes, September 2019
Participating Counties
RSSI Intervention Approach Curriculum Virtual 8th - 12th grade Coaching Professional Development Team of Data Tracking Professional Platform Experts Program Support Funds
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