Despite gains locally in career, college, and military readiness, Black and emergent bilingual students continue to be left behind
A look at the 2023 College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) data shows encouraging progress, but challenges persist.
What is CCMR?
CCMR measures whether students graduate ready for college, careers, or the military, as defined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Students qualify by meeting at least one of the following:
- College Readiness: Scoring well on the SAT, ACT, or TSIA, earning college credit through AP/IB exams or dual credit courses, or obtaining an associate degree or certification.
- Career or Military Readiness: Enlisting in the military or earning an industry-based certification (IBC) through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
Encouraging Trends
After setbacks from the pandemic, Houston’s CCMR rate has rebounded, mainly due to more students meeting college readiness standards. In fact, from 2022 to 2023, the overall CCMR rate and college readiness rate saw significant increases.
Fewer students met CCMR criteria solely through career or military pathways. While this shift may seem concerning, it actually suggests more students are reaching the higher academic standards of college readiness, which better prepares them for long-term success.
Many Houston-area districts, including KIPP Houston, Channelview ISD, Pasadena ISD, and Galena Park ISD, have not only recovered but surpassed their pre-pandemic college readiness levels.
Areas of Concern
Despite these gains, some students are still being left behind:
- Persistent Achievement Gaps: 26% of Houston’s 2023 graduates did not meet CCMR standards. Black students (65%) and emergent bilingual (EB) students (64%) lagged behind, with a 19% gap between Black and white students that has remained unchanged since 2019.
- Lagging Behind Other Texas Cities: Houston’s 2023 CCMR rate (74%) grew just 3% since 2019, while other major urban districts reached 82%—a 12% increase. Houston ISD, Alief ISD, and Aldine ISD have recovered but still rank among the lowest in Texas Urban Council (TUC) districts.
What’s Next?
The progress is promising, but we must ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. Addressing persistent gaps and expanding access to college and career pathways will be key to maintaining momentum.
By continuing to focus on equitable opportunities, Houston can ensure that all students—regardless of background—graduate prepared for their futures.
