Dr. Chris King gave a presentation at the Principal, College and Industry Forum on College and Career Readiness held on 12 January. The presentation included an overview of the Central Texas Student Futures Project as well as recent education and labor market outcomes for students from 11 Central Texas school districts. 

To view or download the presentation, click here.

On Nov. 14, Greg Cumpton, research associate at the Ray Marshall Center, met with members of the Austin Chamber of Commerce's College Readiness and Enrollment Team to present initial findings from a survey of seniors conducted in spring 2011. The senior surveys consisted of responses from over 6,000 students from ten area high schools. Key findings include: 

• Respondents are mainly going to their counselors to discuss academic performance graduation plans
• Almost 90% of respondents reported taking a college entrance exam before they graduated
• Over half of the respondents reported submitting a financial aid application from January to June of their senior year
• In comparison to the class before them, the 2011 seniors
• More respondents are taking a college entrance exam during their junior year.
• Black, Hispanic and low-income respondents posted the highest percentage point increase, with  more Black and Hispanic respondents reported completed college applications or the Texas Common Application.
• More Black and White respondents reported applying for financial aid.

A copy of the presentation is available at this link.

On Oct. 10, Dr. Chris King presented recent research findings from the Central Texas Student Futures Project at a meeting of the Central Texas College Presidents, hosted by the Austin Area Research Organization. The presentation included background on the project, current college enrollment persistance data, as well as employment data for recent high school graduates. To view or download a copy of the presentation, click on this link.

The Austin Area Research Organization is (AARO) is a non-profit organization comprised of 90 business and community leaders from the Central Texas region of Caldwell, Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. AARO works to facilitate the economic and social well-being of Central Texas by researching and addressing public policy issues in 8 priority areas:  Education, Energy, Health Care, Higher Education, Leadership, Social Equity, Transportation, and Water. Its mission is to engage regional leaders in data-driven, deliberative action to advance the long-term economic and social well-being of Central Texas.

The enrollment statistics for 2010 Central Texas high school graduates is now available. To view or downlaod the report, please go to this link:

2011: Initial Postsecondary Enrollment Statistics for 2010 Central Texas Graduates through December 2010

Garry Davis, a graduate student at LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin, has received the Bryna and Henry David Fellowship from the Ray Marshall Center and joins the Center as a graduate research assistant working on the Central Texas Student Futures Project. Davis is the fifth recipient of the fellowship. 

The Ray Marshall Center selects the David Fellow every two to three years to work half-time on education and workforce related research. Funding for the fellowship is generously supported by the endowment of Bryna and Henry David. Henry David taught at the LBJ School in the 1970s; both he and his wife Bryna were nationally recognized researchers in career-related education. 

Davis is in the Master of Public Affairs program with a focus on productivity improvement across social and economic policies and programs.  He expects to complete his degree in May 2013.

Prior to coming to the LBJ School and the Ray Marshall Center, Davis was a Teaching Fellow with Citizen Schools, a nonprofit focusing on education reform, working with students at Bedichek Middle School in Austin. In this role, Davis worked closely with students to help close the achievement gap by helping them maintain or improve their academic standing and provided them with college and career connections. The intersection of the two goals is Davis’ specialization. He was responsible for engaging the community and bringing the community into the classroom, in the form of a 10-week apprenticeship program taught by volunteer professionals. Davis oversaw the volunteer recruitment, training, and support for staff and volunteers throughout the apprenticeship process.

Davis’ other experience included serving as an Operations Associate for the United Way of the Capital Area and interning Capital Area Food Bank in the volunteer management department.Davis received his Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a Professional Business Foundations Certificate from the University of Texas at Austin.

The Ray Marshall Center is now accepting applications from incoming masters students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs for the Bryna and Henry David Fellow.

About the Bryna and Henry David Fellow

Every 2 to 3 years, the Ray Marshall Center hires an incoming masters student from the LBJ School of Public Affairs to work half-time on education and workforce related research projects. The position is funded by an endowment created by the estate of Bryna and Henry David.  Henry David taught at the LBJ School in the 1970s; both he and his wife Bryna were nationally recognized researchers in career-related education. To date, four David Fellows have worked at the Ray Marshall Center, in recent years primarily contributing to the ongoing work of the Central Texas Student Futures Project.  David Fellows are paid a stipend, plus in-state tuition, and also receive funds to support attendance at a national policy research conference each year.

How to Apply
Interested students are invited to send their resumes and letters of interest to Susie Riley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

On April 26, Dr. Chris King, director of the Ray Marshall Center, gave a lecture to members of the UT Quest program entitled “Keeping Austin Weird...or At Least Highly Educated: Results from the Student Futures Project”. The presentation reviewed the background, overview and latest data from the Student Futures Project, an initiative that seeks to monitor and track student transitions from high school to postsecondary education or onto the labor force. The UT Quest Program provides individuals opportunities for continuing education and learning, regardless of age. The goal of UT Quest is to “provide its members, who reflect a very wide range of professional and life experiences, with continuing intellectual growth in a campus environment.

On Apr. 4, the Texas High School Project along with the Urban League’s of Texas – Austin, Greater Dallas & North Central Texas, and Houston Area organized the State of Urban Education in Texas Forum held at the AT&T Executive Training Center at the University of Texas in Austin. The event provided an opportunity for learning and exchange between researchers, policymakers, community leaders and education professionals.  Key topics discussed at the forum included updates on current education policies and legislative issues, ongoing research and best practices in the field, and also trends and outlooks for improving education programs and outcomes. Dr. Chris King, Ray Marshall Center director, gave a presentation entitled “College & Career Readiness: Insights from the Central Texas Student Futures Project.” The presentation provided an overview of the Ray Marshall Center’s research to identify factors and strategies for improving students’ college enrollment and completion rates, as well as strategies to improve employment outcomes for individuals beyond traditional schooling age.

On April 29, Deanna Schexnayder, associate director the Ray Marshall Center and senior research scientist, will join a panel of education experts and researchers to discuss “Higher Education Access and Success”. Panelists will provide information and answer questions on higher education policy, ongoing research, and public and private research funding organizations. The panel discussion is part of the three-day 2011 TG Annual Training Conference, which provides an opportunity for exchange between higher education professionals, student services professionals, funders, and policymakers. Registration is required and can be completed at the link below.

2011 TG Conference details:
Date: April 26 – 29, 2011
Location: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at UT Austin.
Registration can be completed online at this link: http://www.tgslc.org/tgconference/index.cfm

School district partners, project funders, and Ray Marshall Center researchers involved in the Central Texas Students Futures Project met on Feb. 24 at the LBJ School of Public Affairs to discuss recent findings about factors linked to successful college enrollment. The diverse group included officials from nine of the area school districts involved in the project, representatives of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the non-profit group TG, and Center researchers.

The meeting provided an opportunity for all partners to provide feedback and input on current analyses and findings, as well as discuss how prior feedback from partner districts has been incorporated into the current research. The Student Futures Project provides regular updates and engages partners to help ensure that the research continues to provide relevant and constructive information for educators and other stakeholders. As a next step, Center researchers will integrate the feedback received from partners in the development of the research publication.

Photo: Center researcher Greg Cumptom present findings to partners.

In January 2011, the Central Texas Student Futures Project released the report Findings from the 2010 Senior Surveys, by Greg Cumpton and Shelby Tracy. The report presents findings from a spring 2010 survey of area high school seniors. The annual senior survey is a key component of the Student Futures Project. Comparisons of data and trends between the class of 2010 and previous years’ classes are also presented.

Click here to view the report.

On Jan. 13, Chris King, director of the Ray Marshall Center, presented an overview and findings from the Student Futures Project to the Ready by 21 Coalition. The Ready by 21 Coalition is a group of over 30 education and youth services providers in the area working to prepare young people for and improve their outcomes in education, health, leadership, and community engagement. The presentation highlighted factors significantly related to success in post-secondary enrollment and jobs. The information from the Student Futures Project provides the Ready by 21 Coalition with current data to help develop effective plans and targets for new youth initiatives.

Click here to view the Ready by 21 presentation.

In November 2010 and January 2011, Deanna Schexnayder, associate director of the Ray Marshall Center, provided updates on the Student Futures Project to the Greater Austin Chamber’s College Readiness and Enrollment Support Team (CREST). CREST is made up of area school districts and college representatives working to improve student preparation and enrollment in postsecondary education. The presentation from January 2011 presented data from the recently published Findings from the 2010 Senior Surveys, as well as a comparative look at post high school employment rates among the different graduating classes. At the November meeting, Schexnayder discussed the most recent college enrollment rate statistics and trends over the past several years.

Click here to view the Jan. 10, 2011 presentation to CREST.
Click here to view the Nov. 1, 2010 presentation to CREST.

On Oct. 19, the Ray Marshall Center hosted an full-day research symposium, Policy Responses in the New Economy: Celebrating the Ray Marshall Center’s 40^th Anniversary. Policy experts from around the country presented papers and presentations on labor market issues, education, and workforce development. Deanna Schexnayder, associate director, and a senior research scientist from the Ray Marshall Center, presented an overview of the Student Futures Project and recent data in the presentation, Improving Postsecondary and Labor Market Success Through a Dynamic Business-Education Initiative.

Click here to view the presentation, Improving Postsecondary and Labor Market Success Through a Dynamic Business-Education Initiative.
Click here for more information about the symposium, Policy Responses in the New Economy: Celebrating the Ray Marshall Center’s 40^th Anniversary.

In October 2010, Deanna Schexnayder from the Ray Marshall Center presented at the 14^th annual Grantmakers for Edcuation Conference in New Orleans. Each year, this three-day conference is one of the largest gatherings of education funders in the country. Schexnayder provided an overview and data from the Student Futures Project in the presentation, From Data to Decisions: The Impact of Data Analysis on College-Going Practices and Policies.  

Click here to view the presentation

In September 2010, the Student Futures Project published the report Initial Postsecondary Enrollment Statistics through December 2009 for Class of 2009 Central Texas Graduates. This report provides data on enrollment rates in 2 and 4-year colleges by high school and school districts.  

Click here to view the report.

“Student Futures Project: Overview and Potential” presented at the EPCC/UTEP Data Sharing Symposium. Click here to view the presentation.

Chris King presented the Student Futures Project at the Data Quality Campaign Webinar hosted in Washington, D.C. Click here to view the presentation.

On Mar. 4, Ray Marshall Center Director Christopher King presented at the IDEC Asia Seminar in Hiroshima, Japan. The presentation provided information on how the Central Texas Student Futures Project promotes postsecondary success through regional university partnerships.
Click here to view the presentation.

In December 2009 the Student Futures Project released a report by Tara Carter Smith and Greg Cumpton highlighting the findings from the 2009 senior surveys. The senior survey is a primary component to the Student Futures Project research, providing details on graduates' family backgrounds, high school experiences and preparations for the future, which assist researchers in determining key influences and factors that affect students' postsecondary education decisions and outcomes.

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