Texas is failing to graduate 1 of 5 students – which translates to losing 10 students per hour. The statewide attrition rate is 20%.

Texas high schools lost 86,789 students in 2019-20

Texas will not reach universal high school education for another two decades

Black students and Hispanic students are about two times more likely to leave school without graduating with a diploma than White students.

In the last 34 years, Texas schools have lost a cumulative total of more than 4 million students from public high school enrollment prior to graduation.

Stunning Dallas Morning News analysis of state data shows that more than 100,000 students in Texas never engaged in their remote learning assignments last spring, and about 20,000 of them dropped entirely out of contact.

Ed Week: Tens of Thousands of Students in Texas Dropped Out of Remote Learning, Analysis Shows

Students testing in 2021 were about 10 points behind in math and 9 points behind in reading compared with matched students in previous years.

Unfinished learning through the pandemic exacerbates historical inequities, especially for students of poverty and students of color.

Parents reported increases in mental health conditions and concerning behaviors in their children.

Absenteeism among students in 8th through 12th grade increased significantly during the pandemic.

The economic gap caused by pandemic-related unfinished learning adds to existing racial achievement gaps in the United States.

McKinsey & Co: COVID-19 and education: The lingering effects of unfinished learning

Our current structures do not support students who have struggled with meeting

Students can meet high academic standards if supported.

Creating an individualized plan to assist with engagement and focus

Targeting pathways and support

Providing mental and physical health supports

Teaching through a competency-based model

Providing mentorship

Open year-round

Flexible school days and hours

Virtual classes and daycare options

Potential internships and mentorships

Changing the target from only diploma to employment/diploma will help students see the relevance of their schooling

Two years post-graduation “check-ins”