College and Workforce Readiness

Barriers to Implementing College and Workforce Readiness Initiatives in Texas

In 2007, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a grant to TASB to conduct a study of the legal, regulatory, and practical barriers to college and workforce readiness in Texas and prepare a report to guide state and district policymakers in improving educational services for all students.

The interest of the Gates Foundation is directly linked to the foundation's national effort to improve high school graduation and college readiness rates. The foundation believes all students deserve to graduate high school with the skills and knowledge that prepare them for college, career, and life.

TASB compiled and reviewed legal, regulatory, and policy documents bearing on preparation for college and the workforce in Texas high schools.

The Texas Center for Educational Research conducted more than 40 interviews of policymakers, practitioners, and education leaders in the state to learn how implementation of law and policy in Texas schools supports or thwarts students as they prepare for college or the workforce.

• Download the report (pdf)
• Download the summary document (pdf)
• Read the press release.
• Addendum: How the 81st Legislature Addressed the Identified Barriers to College Readiness (pdf). An update on progress made toward addressing college readiness barriers identified in the "Barriers" report.
• Overcoming Barriers to College and Workforce Readiness (pdf). Suggestions from the "Barriers" report to help state and local policymakers overcome barriers that are impeding Texas school districts from preparing students to succeed in college or the workforce.

Other related resources

• Overview: Uniform GPA (pdf). An explanation of the legislative history and challenges inherent in implementing a uniform GPA calculation in Texas public high schools.  
• TexasWorks 2008: Training and Education for All Texans (prepared by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)
• Go-to-College Guidebook (pdf; prepared by Ready by 21 Coalition's Go-to-College Team)