Rural Student Success Initiative Maria Luna-Torres, PhD Project - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Rural Student Success Initiative

Maria Luna-Torres, PhD Project Director Maria.luna-torres@ag.tamu.edu

◉ 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.

Initiative’s Goals

Rural Landscape in Texas

Source: Texas Rural Funders Collaborative, November 2018

 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

Need for College Access in Rural Communities

100% 84% 62% 33% 100% 73% 44% 14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2007 eighth grade cohort Graduated from HS Enrolled in postsecondary Completed degree/certificate

Not Economically Disadvantaged Economically Disadvantaged

Differences in Postsecondary Access and Completion by Economic Status

Source: Texas Tribune Higher Education Outcomes, September 2019

Participating Counties

RSSI Intervention Approach

Team of Professional Experts

Curriculum

8th - 12th grade

Professional Development Data Tracking Platform Program Support Funds Virtual Coaching