RGV FOCUS 2017 Community Report

Changing the Story

RGV FOCUS a collaboration with Educate Texas

COMMUNITY REPORT 2017

RGV FOCUS a collaboration with Educate Texas

Every child begins their educational journey with the potential to succeed.

1.

Our vision is that all Rio Grande Valley learners will achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career.

WHAT DOES RGV FOCUS DO? RGV FOCUS helps children in the Rio Grande Valley graduate from college and find a good career. RGV FOCUS sets community goals, unites people to work toward reaching them and reports on the improvement made each year. RGV FOCUS is a partnership of leaders from school districts, colleges and universities, non-profits, businesses and the community that work together to help students in the Rio Grande Valley.

HOW IS THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY DOING? DO STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE? Rio Grande Valley students have made good progress toward matching the state’s college graduation rates, but there is still more work to be done. We need to make sure students have all the resources they need to reach their full potential.

TEX

AS

V RG

COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE

22%

23%

46%

61%

2-year college graduation rate

HOW CAN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY HELP STUDENTS GRADUATE COLLEGE?

4-year college graduation rate

3rd grade reading and 8th grade math are important subjects on a student’s journey to graduation. A study by the Anne E. Casey Foundation found students have a harder time graduating if they have trouble with 3rd grade reading and 8th grade math. Parents and teachers can help young learners succeed by focusing on these basic subjects at an early age.

3RD GRADE READING

+

8TH GRADE MATH

=

STUDENT SUCCESS 2.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD DO WELL IN 3RD GRADE READING AND 8TH GRADE MATH?

EMPOWER THEM TO:

3.

1

START EARLY

2

GET TO CLASS

3

TALK DAILY

4

JOIN A SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM

Help your child get an early start by putting them in pre-school.

They will have more time to learn to read and do basic math before they start Kindergarten.

Make sure your child goes to school daily so they do not miss important lessons. Studies show that students who miss fewer than 5 days a year are more successful in school.

A parent is a child’s first teacher. Read, sing songs, tell stories and talk with your child every day. Children that talk daily learn daily and are more likely to do well in school.

Students who learn during the summer have an easier time when school starts again. Ask your school district or library about their summer programs.

HOW DID RGV FOCUS HELP STUDENTS GO TO COLLEGE IN 2017?

Every fall, RGV FOCUS hosts Super Saturday. On this day, colleges and universities in the Rio Grande Valley help students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with the help of staff and community leaders.

The FAFSA application helps students get money to pay for college.

FAFSA Completion in the Rio Grande Valley increased from

56% TO

74%

Between 2016 and 2017 Source: U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid FAFSA Applications (October 1, 2016-September 22, 2017)

WHO BELIEVES IN YOU? The following organizations believe in your student, you and the Rio Grande Valley region. They provide money, time and support to bring people together to help your student reach their full potential.

4.

SCORECARD: HOW ARE WE DOING? RGV FOCUS SCORECARD

2016-2017*

72%

74%

91%

74%

2011-2012 Baseline

70%

69%

87%

59%

2%

5%

4%

D

RIO GRANDE VALLEY/TEXAS COMPARISON

STAAR 8th Grade Mathematics

4-Year High School Graduation Rate

FAFSA Completion

RGV 2016-2017*

72%

74%

91%

74%

Texas

71%

74%

89%

62%

Matches or Exceeds the State Note: Calculations are weighted averages based on student population.

5.

STAAR 3rd Grade Reading

15%

RGV FOCUS a collaboration with Educate Texas

32%

43%

56%

23%

46%

89%

80%

-

32%

56%

17%

44%

92%

78%

6%

2%

**

11%

-

College-Ready Graduates

AP / Dual Credit Completion

Higher Education Immediate Enrollment Rate

32%

43%

39%

36%

Public Higher Education Graduation Rate

-3%

2%

Higher Education Graduates Employed or Enrolled

2-year

4-year

2-year

4-year

56%

23%

46%

89%

80%

52%

22%

61%

88%

78%

* Graduating Class of 2016

6.

RGV FOCUS a collaboration with Educate Texas

LEADERS

UNITED

CHANGE

407 N. 77 Sunshine Strip Harlingen, TX 78550 rgvfocus.org

LIVES