Differences in Public Postsecondary Enrollment Rates of Texas Public High School Graduates as a Function of Gender, Ethnicity/Race, and Economic Status: A Multiyear, Statewide Study

Purpose The purpose of this journal-ready dissertation was to examine the extent to which differences were present in gender, ethnicity/race, and economic status in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities. The first purpose was to examine the degree to which gender differences were present in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities. Specifically analyzed in the first investigation were the enrollment percentages of males and females for three academic years (i.e., 2012-2013 through 2014-2015) for Texas public high school graduates. A second purpose was to examine the extent to which ethnic/racial differences existed in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities. In particular, the percentages of Texas Hispanic, Black, and White high school graduates who enrolled in 2-year public colleges and in 4-year public institutions were examined for three academic years (i.e., 2012-2013 through 2014-2015). Finally, a third purpose was to ascertain the extent to which economic differences were present in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities.   Method A causal-comparative research design was used herein Archival data from the Texas Education Agency were downloaded and analyzed in each of the three empirical studies in this journal-ready dissertation. Specifically postsecondary enrollment rates at Texas 2-year public institutions and at Texas 4-year public institutions were obtained for the 2013-2014 through the 2014-2015 academic years.

Findings Postsecondary enrollment rates of Texas public high school graduates in 2-year public institutions and in 4-year public institutions were statistically significantly different by gender, ethnicity/race, and economic status. Males had statistically significantly lower postsecondary enrollment rates than females. Moreover, Hispanic students had statistically significant lower postsecondary enrollment rates than both White and Black students. Students in poverty also enrolled in public postsecondary institutions at statistically significant lower rates than their counterparts who were not poor. Implications for policy and recommendations for research were provided.