This study examines regional trends in Texas on the number and percent of students lost from public high school enrollment prior to graduation with a high school diploma. A comparative analysis of 1985-86, 2005-06 and 2006-07 attrition rates in Texas’ 20 education service center* (ESC) regions shows that eight Texas regions have persistently higher rates of losing students from public school enrollment.
IDRA releases its annual attrition study in the October issue of its newsletter. Attrition rates are an indicator of a school’s holding power, or ability to keep students enrolled in school and learning until they graduate. IDRA has used the same methodology since its inaugural statewide study in 1986. IDRA conducted Texas’ first-ever comprehensive statewide study of high school dropouts using a high school attrition formula to estimate the number and percent of students who leave school prior to graduation. The study in 1986 was the state’s first major effort to assess the school holding power of Texas public schools. The annual attrition studies since then include county-level data by race and ethnicity. Trend graphs of high school attrition in each Texas county are available online.
In general, the rate of students lost from high school enrollment prior to graduation with a diploma has not improved significantly, and the number of students lost has increased. Eight education service center regions had higher attrition rates in 2006-07 than they did in 1985-86, and 15 had a higher number of students lost to attrition in 2006-07 than they did in 1985-86. Data in this study help to answer questions on regional trends on attrition rates and provides geographical comparisons among ESC regions (see Exhibit 1).
In its inaugural comprehensive study of school dropouts in Texas public schools completed in 1986, the Intercultural Development Research Association in its Texas School Dropout Survey Project found that attrition rates ranged from a low of 21 percent in ESC Region 5 (Beaumont) to a high of 43 percent in ESC Region 1 (Edinburg), compared to the state average of 33 percent (see Exhibit 2).
Exhibit 2: 1982-83 and 1985-86 Enrollment,
1985-86 Attrition in Texas Education Service Center Regions
ESC Region
1982-93
9th Grade
Enrollment
1985-86
12th Grade
Enrollment
1982-83
9th Grade
Enrollment
1985-96
9-12th Grade
Enrollment
Students
Lost to
Attrition
Attrition
Rate
(%)
Region 1 ( Edinburg
)
15,251
9,891
45,208
51,619
7,523
43
Region 2 (Corpus)
7,893
5,708
28,302
28,680
2,291
29
Region 3 (Victoria
4,227
3,195
15,659
15,289
932
23
Region 4 (Houston)
52,203
34,461
168,587
176,898
20,315
37
Region 5 (Beaumont)
7,285
5,597
26,836
26,038
1,471
21
Region 6 (Huntsville)
8,104
5,651
27,026
28,372
2,857
34
Region 7 (Kilgore)
11,269
8,724
39,876
42,187
3,198
27
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
3,970
3,035
14,687
14,830
974
24
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
3,058
2,321
11,161
11,407
804
26
Region 10 (Richardson)
33,285
23,306
111,883
119,395
12,214
34
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
19,737
15,468
69,968
78,058
6,551
30
Region 12 (Waco)
7,158
5,632
26,443
28,026
1,955
26
Region 13 (Austin
12,967
9,697
43,381
49,662
5,147
35
Region 14 (Abilene)
3,621
2,674
12,580
12,921
1,045
28
Region 15 (San Angelo)
4,033
2,798
13,146
13,460
1,331
32
Region 16 (Amarillo)
5,590
4,323
20,155
20,704
1,419
25
Region 17 (Lubbock)
6,180
4,375
21,933
21,267
1,1617
27
Region 18 (Midland)
5,784
3,956
19,691
20,134
1,958
33
Region 19 (El Paso)
10,330
7,024
32,147
35,105
4,257
38
Region 20 (San Antonio)
21,174
14,451
69,373
74,209
8,199
36
State of Texas
243,119
172,287
818,042
868,263
86,276
33
Figures calculated by IDRA from the Texas Education Agency Fall Membership Survey data. IDRA’s 1985-86 attrition study involved the analysis of enrollment figures for public high school students in the ninth grade during 1982-83 school year and enrollment figures for 12th grade students in 1985-86. This period represents the time span when ninth grade students would be enrolled in school prior to graduation. The enrollment data for special school districts (military schools, state schools, and charter schools) were excluded from the analyses since they are likely to have unstable enrollments and/or lack a tax base to support school programs.
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
In 2005-06, attrition rates ranged from a low of 18 percent in ESC Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 46 percent in ESC Region 1 (
Edinburg
), compared to the state average of 35 percent (see Exhibit 3).
Exhibit 3: 2002-03 and 2005-06 Enrollment,
2005-06 Attrition in Texas Education Service Center Regions
ESC Region
2002-03 9th Grade Enrollment
2005-06 12th Grade Enrollment
2002-03 9-12th Grade Enrollment
2005-06 9-12th Grade Enrollment
Students Lost to Attrition
Attrition Rate (%)
Region 1 (
Edinburg
)
28,266
17,239
81,111
91,334
14,634
46
Region 2 ( Corpus Christi
)
9,407
6,373
30,480
30,078
2,936
31
Region 3 ( Victoria
)
5,125
3,398
16,611
15,871
1,529
31
Region 4 ( Houston
)
78,914
54,726
243,174
267,688
32,902
37
Region 5 ( Beaumont
)
7,309
5,042
24,036
23,173
2,023
28
Region 6 ( Huntsville
)
12,710
9,259
40,648
43,856
4,534
32
Region 7 (Kilgore)
13,919
10,114
45,888
46,819
4,289
29
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
4,606
3,546
15,845
16,330
1,230
25
Region 9 ( Wichita Falls
)
3,410
2,652
11,844
11,749
741
22
Region 10 ( Richardson
)
54,288
36,901
166,440
180,475
22,694
37
Region 11 ( Fort Worth
)
39,176
27,537
122,290
134,297
16,013
36
Region 12 ( Waco
)
11,546
8,150
38,223
39,240
3,749
31
Region 13 ( Austin
)
24,828
18,296
81,220
87,262
8,515
31
Region 14 ( Abilene
)
3,895
2,749
13,563
12,843
959
25
Region 15 ( San Angelo
)
4,242
3,124
14,753
14,457
1,041
25
Region 16 ( Amarillo
)
6,360
4,675
21,955
21,912
1,728
26
Region 17 ( Lubbock
)
6,109
4,785
22,517
21,603
1,104
18
Region 18 ( Midland
)
6,436
4,463
22,331
21,510
1,790
28
Region 19 ( El Paso
)
14,362
9,798
45,690
49,169
5,703
37
Region 20 ( San Antonio
)
28,757
19,563
93,508
96,660
10,211
34
State of Texas
363,665
252,390
1,152,127
1,226,326
137,162
35
Figures calculated by IDRA from the Texas Education Agency Fall Membership Survey data. IDRA’s 2005-06 attrition study involved the analysis of enrollment figures for public high school students in the ninth grade during 2002-03 school year and enrollment figures for 12th grade students in 2005-06. This period represents the time span when ninth grade students would be enrolled in school prior to graduation. The enrollment data for special school districts (military schools, state schools, and charter schools) were excluded from the analyses since they are likely to have unstable enrollments and/or lack a tax base to support school programs.
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
In 2006-07, attrition rates ranged from a low of 20 percent in ESC Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 46 percent in ESC Region 1 (Edinburg), compared to the state average of 34 percent (see Exhibits 1 and 4).
Exhibit 4: 2003-04 and 2006-07 Enrollment, 2006-07 Attrition in
Texas
Education
Service
Center
Regions
ESC Region
2003-04 9th Grade Enrollment
2006-07 12th Grade Enrollment
2003-04 9-12th Grade Enrollment
2006-07 9-12th Grade Enrollment
Students Lost to Attrition
Attrition Rate (%)
Region 1 (
Edinburg
)
29,196
18,015
84,077
95,262
15,098
46
Region 2 ( Corpus Christi
)
9,243
6,387
30,255
29,965
2,796
30
Region 3 ( Victoria
)
4,860
3,441
16,472
15,636
1,187
25
Region 4 ( Houston
)
80,896
56,073
249,109
272,097
33,034
37
Region 5 ( Beaumont
)
7,098
4,929
23,858
23,164
1,981
28
Region 6 ( Huntsville
)
12,394
9,464
41,307
44,483
3,940
29
Region 7 (Kilgore)
13,703
9,973
45,981
46,363
3,916
28
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
4,533
3,533
15,468
15,953
1,176
24
Region 9 ( Wichita Falls
)
3,374
2,582
11,662
11,414
730
22
Region 10 ( Richardson
)
53,933
37,579
170,747
182,781
20,695
35
Region 11 ( Fort Worth
)
39,926
28,884
125,449
137,433
15,305
34
Region 12 ( Waco
)
11,879
8,374
38,664
39,691
3,875
31
Region 13 ( Austin
)
24,794
18,843
82,281
90,303
8,528
31
Region 14 ( Abilene
)
3,901
2,829
13,255
12,975
1,006
26
Region 15 ( San Angelo
)
4,251
3,213
14,731
14,443
967
23
Region 16 ( Amarillo
)
6,454
4,883
21,765
22,100
1,712
25
Region 17 ( Lubbock
)
6,004
4,754
21,879
21,530
1,176
20
Region 18 ( Midland
)
6,467
4,587
22,156
21,378
1,699
26
Region 19 ( El Paso
)
14,429
10,105
46,229
50,052
5,549
35
Region 20 ( San Antonio
)
28,522
19,202
93,384
98,875
11,065
36
State of Texas
365,857
257,650
1,168,729
1,245,898
134,676
34
Figures calculated by IDRA from the Texas Education Agency Fall Membership Survey data. IDRA’s 2006-07 attrition study involved the analysis of enrollment figures for public high school students in the ninth grade during 2003-04 school year and enrollment figures for 12th grade students in 2006-07. This period represents the time span when ninth grade students would be enrolled in school prior to graduation. The enrollment data for special school districts (military schools, state schools, and charter schools) were excluded from the analyses since they are likely to have unstable enrollments and/or lack a tax base to support school programs.
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
Eight of the 20 education service center regions (40 percent) had lower attrition rates in 2006-07 than in 1985-86, eight (40 percent) had higher rates, and four (20 percent) had rates that remained unchanged (see Exhibit 5).
Exhibit 5: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools
By
Education
Service
Center
Region: 1985-86, 2005-06 and 2006-07
ESC Region
Attrition Rate (%)
Point Change 85-86 to 06-07
Percent Change 85-86 to 06-07
1985-86
2005-06
2006-07
Region 1 (Edinburg)
43
46
46
3
6.98%
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
29
31
30
1
3.45%
Region 3 (Victoria)
23
31
25
2
8.70%
Region 4 (Houston)
37
37
37
0
0.00%
Region 5 (Beaumont)
21
28
28
7
33.33%
Region 6 (Huntsville)
34
32
29
-5
-14.71%
Region 7 (Kilgore)
27
29
28
1
3.70%
Region 8 (Mount Pleasant)
24
25
24
0
0.00%
Region 9 (wichita Falls)
26
22
22
-4
-15.38%
Region 10 (Richardson)
34
37
35
1
2.94%
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
30
36
34
4
13.33%
Region 12 (Waco)
26
31
31
5
19.23%
Region 13 (Austin)
35
31
31
-4
-11.43%
Region 14 (Abilene)
28
25
26
-2
-7.14%
Region 15 (San Angelo)
32
25
23
-9
-28.13%
Region 16 (Amarillo)
25
26
25
0
0.00%
Region 17 (Lubbock)
27
18
20
-7
-25.93%
Region 18 (Midland)
33
28
26
-7
-21.21%
Region 19 (El Paso)
38
37
35
-3
-7.89%
Region 20 (San Antonio)
36
34
36
0
0.00%
State of Texas
33
35
34
1
3.03%
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
The total number of students lost from public high school public enrollment has increased from 86,272 in 1985-86 to 134,646 in 2006-07 (see Exhibit 6).
The total number of students lost from enrollment by education service center region in 1985-86 ranged from a low of 804 students in ESC Region 9 (Wichita Falls) to a high of 20,315 in ESC Region 4 (Houston).
In 2005-06, the total number of students lost from enrollment by education service center region ranged from a low of 741 students in ESC Region 9 (Wichita Falls) to a high of 32,902 in ESC Region 4 (Houston).
In 2006-07, the total number of students lost from enrollment by education service center region ranged from a low of 730 students in ESC Region 9 (Wichita Falls) to a high of 33,034 in ESC Region 4 (Houston).
Exhibit 6: Attrition in Texas Public Schools
By Education Service Center Region: 1985-86, 2005-06, & 2006-07
ESC Region
Attrition Number
Number Change 85-86 to
06-07
Percent Change 85-86 to
06-07
1985-86
2005-06
2006-07
Region 1 (Edinburg)
7,523
14,634
15,098
7,575
100.69%
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
2,291
2,936
2,796
505
22.04%
Region 3 (Victoria)
932
1,529
1,187
255
27.36%
Region 4 (Houston)
20,315
32,902
33,034
12,719
62.61%
Region 5 (Beaumont)
1,471
2,023
1,981
510
34.67%
Region 6 (Huntsville)
2,857
4,534
3,940
1,083
37.91%
Region 7 (Kilgore)
3,198
4,289
3,916
718
22.45%
Region 8 (Mount Pleasant)
974
1,230
1,176
202
20.74%
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
804
741
730
-74
-9.20%
Region 10 (Richardson)
12,214
22,694
20,695
8,481
69.44%
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
6,551
16,013
15,305
8,754
133.63%
Region 12 (Waco)
1,955
3,749
3,875
1,920
98.21%
Region 13 (Austin)
5,147
8,515
8,528
3,381
65.69%
Region 14 (Abilene)
1,045
959
1,006
-39
-3.73%
Region 15 (San Angelo)
1,331
1,041
967
-364
-27.35%
Region 16 (Amarillo)
1,419
1,728
1,712
293
20.65%
Region 17 (Lubbock)
1,617
1,104
1,176
-441
-27.27%
Region 18 (Midland)
1,958
1,790
1,699
-259
-13.23%
Region 19 (El Paso)
4,257
5,703
5,549
1,292
30.35%
Region 20 (San Antonio)
8,199
10,211
11,065
2,866
34.96%
State of Texas
86,276
137,162
134,676
48,400
56.10%
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
In 1985-86, attrition rates ranged from a low of 21 percent in Region 5 (Beaumont) to a high of 43 percent in Region 1 (Edinburg). Twelve of the education service center regions had rates lower than the state average of 33 percent, seven had rates higher than the state average, and one service center had a rate equal to the state average.
The education service center regions with attrition rates lower than the state average included: ESC Region 5 (21 percent), ESC Region 3 (23 percent), ESC Region 16 (25 percent), ESC Region 9 (26 percent), ESC Region 12 (26 percent), ESC Region 7 (27 percent), ESC Region 17 (27 percent), ESC Region 14 (28 percent), ESC Region 2 (29 percent), ESC Region 11 (30 percent), and ESC Region 15 (32 percent). Seven education service center regions had attrition rates higher than 33 percent including ESC Region 6 (34 percent), ESC Region 10 (34 percent), ESC Region 13 (35 percent), ESC Region 20 (36 percent), ESC Region 4 (37 percent), ESC Region 19 (38 percent), and ESC Region 1 (43 percent). The attrition rate for ESC Region 18 matched the state average.
In 2005-06, attrition rates ranged from a low of 18 percent in Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 46 percent in Region 1 (Edinburg). Fifteen of the education service center regions had rates lower than the state average of 35 percent and five had rates higher than the state average.
The education service center regions with attrition rates lower than the state average included: ESC Region 17 (18 percent), ESC Region 9 (22 percent), ESC Region 8 (25 percent), ESC Region 14 (25 percent), ESC Region 15 (25 percent), ESC Region 16 (26 percent), ESC Region 5 (28 percent), ESC Region 18 (28 percent), ESC Region 7 (29 percent), ESC Region 2 (31 percent), ESC Region 3 (31 percent), ESC Region 12 (31 percent), ESC Region 13 (31 percent), ESC Region 6 (32 percent), and ESC Region 20 (34 percent). Five education service center regions had attrition rates higher than 35 percent including ESC Region 11 (36 percent), ESC Region 4 (37 percent), ESC Region 10 (37 percent), ESC Region 19 (37 percent), and ESC Region 1 (46 percent).
In 2006-07, attrition rates ranged from a low of 20 percent in Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 46 percent in Region 1 (Edinburg). Fourteen of the education service center regions had rates lower than the state average of 34 percent, five had rates higher than the state average, and one region had a rate equal to the state average.
The education service center regions with attrition rates lower than the state average included: ESC Region 17 (20 percent), ESC Region 9 (22 percent), ESC Region 15 (23 percent), ESC Region 8 (24 percent), ESC Region 3 (25 percent), ESC Region 16 (25 percent), ESC Region 14 (26 percent), ESC Region 18 (26 percent), ESC Region 5 (28 percent), ESC Region 7 (28 percent), ESC Region 6 (29 percent), ESC Region 2 (30 percent), ESC Region 12 (31 percent), and ESC Region 13 (31 percent). Five education service center regions had attrition rates higher than 34 percent including ESC Region 10 (35 percent), ESC Region 19 (35 percent), ESC Region 20 (36 percent), ESC Region 4 (37 percent), and ESC Region 1 (46 percent). The attrition rate for ESC Region 11 matched the state average.
Statewide, the attrition rates of Hispanic students and Black students have either remained unchanged or have worsened since 1985-86 (see Exhibit 7). The gaps between the attrition rates of Whites students and Hispanic and Black students have increased.
The attrition rate for White students was 27 percent in 1985-86, 21 percent in 2005-06, and 20 percent in 2006-07.
The attrition rate for Hispanic students was 45 percent in 1985-86, 47 percent in 2005-06, and 45 percent in 2006-07.
The attrition rate for Black students was 34 percent in 1985-86, 40 percent in both 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Graphs of attrition by race and ethnicity for each service center region are available online at: www.idra.org.
Exhibit 8: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools
By Education Service Center Region and Race-Ethnicity, 2006-07
ESC Region
Attrition Rates 1
Number Lost 2
Black
White
Hispanic
Total
Black
White
Hispanic
Total
Region 1 (Edinburg)
44
23
46
46
34
226
14,805
15,098
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
26
18
36
30
82
426
2,285
2,796
Region 3 (Victoria)
27
10
40
25
123
196
853
1,187
Region 4 (Houston)
42
20
50
37
8,720
5,526
18,239
33,034
Region 5 (Beaumont)
38
22
40
28
846
854
253
1,981
Region 6 (Huntsville)
33
23
45
29
559
1,972
1,336
3,940
Region 7 (Kilgore)
32
21
48
28
942
1,722
1,206
3,916
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
27
20
45
24
318
570
277
1,176
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
35
16
38
22
106
376
232
730
Region 10 (Richardson)
41
18
52
35
5,446
3,859
10,974
20,695
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
42
24
52
34
2,849
5,572
6,473
15,305
Region 12 (Waco)
41
22
43
31
1,205
1,326
1,275
3,875
Region 13 (Austin)
40
18
46
31
1,188
2,350
4,792
8,528
Region 14 (Abilene)
44
17
42
26
127
400
468
1,006
Region 15 (San Angelo)
35
11
32
23
55
203
692
967
Region 16 (Amarillo)
43
15
37
25
173
520
991
1,712
Region 17 (Lubbock)
19
8
30
20
90
179
903
1,176
Region 18 (Midland)
37
10
36
26
132
229
1,319
1,699
Region 19 (El Paso)
35
20
37
35
159
247
5,104
5,549
Region 20 (San Antonio)
37
22
42
36
799
1,665
8,516
11,065
Statewide
40
20
45
34
23,845
28,339
80,445
134,676
1Calculated by: (1) dividing the high school enrollment in the end year by the high school enrollment in the base year; (2) multiplying the results from Calculation 1 by the ninth grade enrollment in the base year; (3) subtracting the results from Calculation 2 from the 12th grade enrollment in the end year; and (4) dividing the results of Calculation 3 by the result of Calculation 2. The attrition rate results (percentages) were rounded to the nearest whole number.
2The aggregate sum of individual regions may not equal the statewide sum due to rounding.
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, February 2008
Exhibit 9: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools by Education Service Center Region, 2006-07 Rank Order and Rate for All Students
Rank
ESC Region
Attrition Rate
1
Region 17 (Lubbock)
20
2
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
22
3
Region 15 (San Angelo)
23
4
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
24
5
Region 3 (Victoria)
25
5
Region 16 (Amarillo)
25
7
Region 14 (Abilene)
26
7
Region 18 (Midland)
26
9
Region 5 (Beaumont)
28
9
Region 7 (Kilgore)
28
11
Region 6 (Huntsville)
29
12
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
30
13
Region 12 (Waco)
31
13
Region 13 (Austin)
31
15
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
34
16
Region 10 (Richardson)
35
16
Region 19 (El Paso)
35
18
Region 20 (San Antonio)
36
19
Region 4 (Houston)
37
20
Region 1 (Edinburg)
46
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
In 2006-07, the attrition rates for Black students across the education service center regions ranged from a low of 19 percent in ESC Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 44 percent in ESC Region 14 (Abilene) and ESC Region 1 (Edinburg). Based on the number of Black students lost to attrition, the number ranged from a low of 34 in ESC Region 1 (Edinburg) to a high of 8,720 in ESC Region 4 (Houston).
Exhibit 10: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools By Education Service Center Region, 2006-07 Rank Order and Rate for Black Students
Rank
ESC Region
Attrition Rate
1
Region 17 (Lubbock)
19
2
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
26
3
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
27
3
Region 3 (Victoria)
27
5
Region 7 (Kilgore)
32
6
Region 6 (Huntsville)
33
7
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
35
7
Region 15 (San Angelo)
35
7
Region 19 (El Paso)
35
10
Region 18 (Midland)
37
10
Region 20 (San Antonio)
37
12
Region 5 (Beaumont)
38
13
Region 13 (Austin)
40
14
Region 12 (Waco)
41
14
Region 10 (Richardson)
41
16
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
42
16
Region 4 (Houston)
42
18
Region 16 (Amarillo)
43
19
Region 14 (Abilene)
44
19
Region 1 (Edinburg)
44
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
Attrition rates ranged for White students across education service center regions ranged from a low of 8 percent in ESC Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 24 percent in Region 11 (Fort Worth) in 2006-07.
Exhibit 11: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools By Education Service Center Region, 2006-07 Rank Order and Rate for White Students
Rank
ESC Region
Attrition Rate
1
Region 17 (Lubbock)
8
2
Region 3 (Victoria)
10
2
Region 18 (Midland>)
10
4
Region 15 (San Angelo)
11
5
Region 16 (Amarillo)
15
6
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
16
7
Region 14 (Abilene)
17
8
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
18
8
Region 13 (Austin)
18
8
Region 10 (Richardson)
18
11
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
20
11
Region 19 (El Paso)
20
11
Region 4 (Houston)
20
14
Region 7 (Kilgore)
21
15
Region 20 (San Antonio)
22
15
Region 5 (Beaumont)
22
15
Region 12 (Waco)
22
18
Region 6 (Huntsville)
23
18
Region 1 (Edinburg)
23
20
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
24
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
In 2006-07, attrition rates ranged for Hispanic students across education service center regions ranged from a low of 30 percent in ESC Region 17 (Lubbock) to a high of 52 percent in both ESC Region 10 (Richardson) and ESC Region 11 (Fort Worth).
Exhibit 12: Attrition Rates in Texas Public Schools By Education Service Center Region, 2006-07 Rank Order and Rate for Hispanic Students
Rank
ESC Region
Attrition Rate
1
Region 17 (Lubbock)
30
2
Region 15 (San Angelo)
32
3
Region 18 (Midland)
36
3
Region 2 (Corpus Christi)
36
5
Region 16 (Amarillo)
37
5
Region 19 (El Paso)
37
6
Region 9 (Wichita Falls)
38
7
Region 3 (Victoria)
40
7
Region 5 (Beaumont)
40
10
Region 14 (Abilene)
42
10
Region 20 (San Antonio)
42
12
Region 12 (Waco)
43
13
Region 8 (Mt. Pleasant)
45
13
Region 6 (Huntsville)
45
15
Region 13 (Austin)
46
15
Region 1 (Edinburg)
46
17
Region 7 (Kilgore)
48
18
Region 4 (Houston)
50
19
Region 10 (Richardson)
52
19
Region 11 (Fort Worth)
52
Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, 2008
Conclusions The examination of historical trend data on the number and percent of students lost from public school enrollment prior to graduation from high school is becoming increasing important since distinct trends are emerging on a regional basis. Education service center regions with traditionally high attrition rates include: ESC Region 1 (Edinburg), ESC Region 4 (Houston), ESC Region 10 (Richardson), ESC Region 13 (Austin), ESC Region 19 (El Paso), and ESC Region 20 (San Antonio).
For the most part, the highest attrition rates are concentrated in regions with the largest student enrollment counts, particularly those in urban areas and those with the largest low-income and minority populations.
The state education agency, schools and communities must work collaboratively to strengthen public schools’ capacities to improve school holding power. Considering the persistently high attrition rates in some ESC regions, targeted resources and support services to schools and communities in these regions would be both feasible and appropriate.
For the period of 2006 to 2008 as part of high school improvement efforts to improve graduation and college readiness rates, 10 regional education service centers have been charged by the Texas Education Agency to provide assistance to school districts with the highest dropout rates. These 10 regional ESCs include: ESC Region 1 (Edinburg), ESC Region 4 (Houston), ESC Region 7 (Kilgore), ESC Region 10 (Richardson), ESC Region 11 (Fort Worth), ESC Region 13 (Austin), ESC Region 18 (Midland), ESC Region 19 (El Paso), and ESC Region 20 (San Antonio).
In order to guarantee that all students graduate from high school and be college-ready, schools and communities in Texas and around the country must work together to improve school holding power and student success.
