Note From The CEO
Hello Friend,
Today has been incredibly inspiring! Hundreds of education and business leaders attended the Postsecondary Pathways Conference at the TMC Innovation Factory to explore strategies and build partnerships that will prepare Houston students for success in the evolving workforce. It was energizing to see people from across industries come together to explore how we can empower Houston students to shape their futures after high school.
At the conference, Good Reason Houston unveiled groundbreaking research that shows which experiences in grade 8-12 are most likely to lead to a living wage after high school. If you missed the conference, you can see photos in Houston Education Spotlight and download our full report in By the Numbers.
Beyond the conference and this research, we’re also celebrating exciting momentum in education. Yesterday, Nation’s Report Card results were released, showing improvements across multiple grade levels and subjects in Houston. Be on the lookout for our full analysis in the coming days.
We’re also encouraged that career readiness is on lawmakers’ minds in Austin. With the 89th Texas Legislative Session underway, the Texas Senate Education Committee released its Interim Report to outline the critical areas lawmakers will address, including teacher shortages, early education, and improving career readiness. In Closer Look, we break down five key takeaways from the report and what they mean for our students, families, and educators. You can stay informed about education discussions at the state level by signing up for our In Session email for updates.
Finally, at the beginning of the school year, we shared key predictions about the education landscape in Houston. Now that we’re halfway through the year, it’s time to assess how those predictions are unfolding and what it means for our students, families, and educators. Our mid-year check-in examines the progress made so far this year and the adjustments needed to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed.
As we move through 2025, we remain committed to ensuring every student in Houston has access to the high-quality education they deserve. Thank you for being a part of this work.
Warm regards,
CLOSER LOOK
Key Takeaways: Texas Senate Education Committee Interim Report
The Senate Education Committee recently released its interim report, providing a blueprint for what education topics the chamber is likely to focus on during the upcoming legislative session. Here are five key takeaways that will shape education policy discussions:
- Addressing teacher shortages and increasing retention efforts.
- Expanding access to early literacy programs.
- Strengthening career readiness by aligning education with workforce needs.
- Improving equity for underserved communities.
- Enhancing school accountability with better data transparency.
To stay informed on how these discussions evolve, we encourage you to sign up for our In Session email series, where we provide updates on the latest education policy developments.
BY THE NUMBERS
New Research: Three Things in Grades 8-12 that Lead to a Living Wage
This year, Good Reason Houston launched a multi-phase research initiative to uncover the key factors that help Houston-area students earn credentials after high school and find careers that pay a living wage.
The study analyzed data from Houston’s public school graduates, revealing critical trends:
- Only 20% of Houston graduates earn a living wage: 1 in 5 high school graduates from the class of 2017 earned a living wage six years after high school graduation
- Attaining a credential plays an important role in earning a living wage: High school graduates who earned a bachelor’s degree were 3.8x more likely to earn a living wage and those who earned a professional certificate were 3x more likely to earn a living wage, compared to those without a credential.
- Three key academic experiences can help predict if a student is likely to earn a living wage: Taking at least five advanced courses in high school, taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade, and meeting 8th-grade reading standards on STAAR.
