Funding, Enrollment & Teachers A thriving public school system requires sufficient funding, robust student enrollment and effective teachers The COVID-19 pandemic upended student enrollment and had a significant effect on teachers just as HB3 increased funding to public schools. Why school funding, enrollment, and teachers matter to Houston Public schools need students, teachers, and money. …
Category Archives: Sub Topic
Post-secondary Education
Post-secondary Education The continued shift to a knowledge-based economy means the best opportunities for job prospects and upward mobility will require education and training beyond high school Rates of college readiness and enrollment in the region are stagnant or in decline, and not enough Houston-area students earn post-secondary credentials after high school. The effects of …
Academic Outcomes
Academic Outcomes How well students perform throughout elementary, middle and high school has profound effects on other important areas of their lives Academic outcomes for students in Houston’s three-county region have suffered since the pandemic, and they weren’t that great to begin with. Students of color and from low-income households have experienced the greatest disparities …
Educational Attainment
Educational Attainment An indicator correlated with many life outcomes, educational attainment profoundly affects individual and regional prosperity Though the average Houstonian today has more education than they did 10 years ago, significant disparities across race/ethnicity persist. Why educational attainment matters to Houston The benefits of obtaining an education beyond the 12 mandatory years extend not …
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted early childhood education in the region, prompting concerns about future academic readiness After experiencing years of steady growth, early childhood education enrollment in Houston’s three-county region fell during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why early childhood education matters to Houston Early childhood education reaches children at a critical point in …
Population & Diversity
Population, Diversity and Immigration in Houston One of the strongest forces to shape the region, Houston’s diverse population is also its greatest asset. In the last decade, the population in Houston’s three-county region — due to strong levels of international and domestic migration — grew substantially and became far more diverse. Why population and diversity …
Voter & Non-Electoral Participation
Voter & Non-Electoral Participation Voter registration and turnout levels in the region have risen while non-electoral participation lags The 2020 election inspired the biggest increase in voter registration and turnout in the region’s recent history, but Houston has more work to do on other measures of civic engagement. Why voter and non-electoral participation matters to …
Social Connectedness
Social Connectedness Despite national trends, levels of trust in our community and local government are on the rise Social connectedness and trust — foundational to a well-functioning society — are on the rise in our region, though loneliness levels remain high. Why social connectedness matters to civic engagement in Houston Social connectedness is the feeling …
Philanthropy & Volunteering
Philanthropy and Volunteering Volunteer activity and financial donations are a force of good throughout our region Nonprofits in Houston’s three-county region advance civic engagement not only by improving the condition of our residents and their communities but also through the strengthening of social ties among those who actively participate. Why philanthropy and volunteering matter to …
Small Business
Small Business in Houston As significant contributors to our regional economy, small businesses provide income and wealth-generating opportunities for residents Despite the pandemic’s immediate effect on the economy, small business growth in Houston’s three-county region remains strong. Yet, disparities persist for women and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Why small businesses matter to …