Economic Status Differences in Industry-Based Certification Attainment Rates of Texas High School Graduates: A Multiyear, Statewide Analysis

Authors

Robert Todd Hicks, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
John R. Slate, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow
Janene W. Hemmen, Sam Houston State UniversityFollow

Short Title

ECONOMIC STATUS DIFFERENCES IN INDUSTRY-BASED

Keywords

College, career, and military readiness; Economically disadvantaged; Industry-based certification; Texas Education Agency

Abstract

This statewide, multiyear study was an examination of industry-based certification attainment rates by the economic status of Texas public high school graduates. Data analyzed were provided by the Texas Education Agency via the Texas Academic Performance Reports for the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years. Inferential statistical analyses revealed that students who were economically disadvantaged earned industry-based certifications at a lower rate than all Texas high school graduates in aggregate. The gaps in attainment rates between students who were economically disadvantaged and the all student group increased over the three school years of data analyzed. Trends in attainment for both student groups, as well as recommendations for policy and future research, are presented.

Recommended Citation

Hicks, Robert Todd; Slate, John R.; and Hemmen, Janene W. (2024) "Economic Status Differences in Industry-Based Certification Attainment Rates of Texas High School Graduates: A Multiyear, Statewide Analysis," School Leadership Review: Vol. 19: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/slr/vol19/iss1/1