Patrick Gill
Director, Research and Data Strategy
Good Reason Houston, in partnership with the University of Houston Education Research Center (ERC), unveiled a groundbreaking study to understand how public school students’ pre-K-12 experiences influence their future jobs and earnings. It is the first comprehensive effort to examine what helps students succeed and how opportunities can be created for all students, regardless of background.
For the study, Good Reason Houston focused on key metrics such as college enrollment, credential attainment, employment, and earnings, with the goal of identifying which elements of students’ academic journeys best predict their readiness for the workforce and their ability to earn a living wage.
The results are clear: accessing challenging schoolwork early and taking multiple advanced classes better positions students to earn a living wage after high school.
The latest findings from the study focus on grades 8-12 and the results are clear: accessing challenging school work early and taking multiple advanced classes better positions students to earn a living wage after high school. For policymakers and education leaders, this research provides a data-driven roadmap to address systemic inequities and prepare students for high-paying, fast-growing jobs.
While centered on Houston students, the findings have national implications. As the most diverse large city in the U.S., Houston reflects demographic shifts that are expected to characterize the nation by 2040. Insights gleaned from this research could guide education leaders across the country as they adapt to a rapidly changing workforce landscape.
“If you want to see the future of public education in America, look to Houston,” said Cary Wright, CEO of Good Reason Houston. “Houston is the blueprint for what’s ahead so this analysis isn’t just about one city—it’s a call to action for leaders in education, business, and philanthropy nationwide to invest in rigorous learning opportunities and build systems that prepare students to excel in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers.”
Key Findings from the Research
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 in grades 8-12 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
Meeting 8th-grade reading standards on STAAR
Being Challenged in Grades 8-12 is Critical
The study’s second phase delved deeper, using statistical models to explore how specific experiences in grades 8-12 influence long-term outcomes. The findings underscore the transformative power of rigorous academic preparation:
Advanced Coursework: High school graduates who completed five or more advanced courses in high school were 22 percentage points more likely to earn a credential.
Combined Impact: Students who excelled in both 8th-grade reading and advanced coursework were the most likely to achieve economic stability.
Credential’s Role in Economic Success: High school graduates with postsecondary credentials were 17 percentage points more likely to earn a living wage than their peers without credentials.
