1.4M
CRADLE TO CAREER PATHWAY
For more information and data visit the expanded scorecard at www. EdTx.org.
Only 17% of Hidalgo & Cameron County residents 25-34 years old are earning at least a $50K annual living wage.
In the RGV, 27% of the population lives below the poverty threshold, compared to 14% in the state.
370,135
71,391
OF RGV RESIDENTS 25 YEARS OLD & OLDER: 6% have associate degrees, compared to 8% in that age group in the state. 19% have bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared to 32% in that age group in the state.
of RGV high school graduates are collegeready, compared to 48% in the state. 43% of RGV Latino residents live in poverty, compared to 14% in the state. 27%
RGV teachers have an average 11 years of experience, compared to 11 years in the state.
90% of RGV teachers are Latino, compared 30% in the state. 12% RGV turnover rate, compared to 19% in the state.
Expanding Career Readiness:
The Rise of CTE and Industry-Based Certifications in RGV
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and industry-based certifications (IBC) are equipping students across the Rio Grande Valley with skills for in-demand careers. School districts have expanded access to CTE programs and significantly increased certification completion rates – opening clear, direct pathways to workforce success.
RGV FOCUS, in collaboration with Educate Texas and the Texas Impact Network (TIN), supports this work through the RGV College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Professional Learning Community, which offers data-driven insights and collaborative opportunities for leaders across the region to align strategies and share best practices.
Rural districts in the RGV - including Roma ISD, San Isidro ISD, Point Isabel ISD, and La Villa ISD - are leading the way, showing remarkable increases in IBC completion rates for their Class of 2023 vs Class of 2022 graduates. These gains reflect a strong regional commitment to ensuring all students—regardless of ZIP code—can access high-quality CTE opportunities.
Districts are also leveraging House Bill 3 CCMR Outcomes Bonuses to sustain this growth, leading the state in drawing down these funds and reinvesting them in scalable programs that drive student success.
More RGV students are graduating with credentials that strengthen the regional workforce and contribute to a more competitive, future-ready economy in the RGV. Through the shared efforts of RGV FOCUS, Educate Texas, TIN, and committed local leaders, the RGV continues to model what’s possible when collaboration, data, and innovation come together to serve students.
ABOUT EDUCATE TEXAS & COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS
In 2012, Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) partnered with Valley-based leaders to establish RGV FOCUS. Educate Texas is proud to be an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas and, together, we are building thriving communities and a thriving education system for all Texas students. As a trusted change agent in Texas education, Educate Texas works side by side with partners through programs and policies to empower students to realize their dreams and fuel a thriving Texas.
RGVFOCUS .ORG | EDTX .ORG | CFTEXAS .ORG
OUR DESIGNATIONS AND NETWORKS
WITH HEARTFELT THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS WHO SUPPORT OUR WORK
rgv students graduating with credentials more than doubled since 2019