Conclusion and Next Steps

 

As stated in the introduction, the goal of this Report Card is to improve outcomes for FGLI students in three areas of their college/career experiences:

  • through better college and career advisement in Texas high schools;
  • through improved student engagement and outcomes at Texas universities;
  • through legislative incentives to Texas universities based on their performance of FGLI outcomes.

Since the last Report Card, some measures have improved, while others have gotten worse.  Regardless, all of the universities still have plenty of room to grow on many of these measures.

These best practices are worthy goals that Texans need to embrace while holding accountable our public policies and practices to do the same.

In order to maximize the impact of the Report Card and improve outcomes of our FGLI students, ScholarShot recommends the following steps be taken:

  1. Continue to publish the Report Card annually with the intent that all Texas public universities will choose to participate.
  1. Continue to revise the Report Card survey and measures to maximize the success of FGLI students.
  1. Disseminate the Report Card throughout Texas so that all parties are aware of the importance of the goals for FGLI students.
  1. Work with high school policies, counselors and measures to effectively advise FGLI students on college/career choice and success. There is substantial incentive for this to happen.[1]
  1. Schedule reviews with all participating Texas universities to offer specific recommendations for changes that will improve the outcomes for FGLI students.
  1. Call on the Texas state legislature to more explicitly consider FGLI student performance and engagement when allocating the Texas Grant funds.

The Report Card author, ScholarShot, will make these efforts, however, these can be greatly enhanced when the Texas public adds its voice and influence to do the same.  Through these actions, our joint effort can create a better future for our FGLI students and our public welfare throughout Texas.  This is the intent of the Texas University Report Card, and we ask for your help to effect change in the lives of so many students.

 

[1] In 2019 the Texas Legislature passed HB-3 which provides measures and bonuses for high schools’ improvement of career, college or military readiness (CCMR).  Larger districts, such as Houston, Dallas or Austin, can earn $19 – $53 million per year by improving their CCMR outcomes.