Graduation Rates Initiative: Raising Graduation Rates is a Top Priority

The nine academic institutions in The University of Texas System have already improved students' access to their institutions, said Chancellor Mark G. Yudof. "Now we need to focus on improving our students' success once they come to our campuses," Yudof said. "Significantly raising our graduation rates is one of our greatest priorities." Read more of this article on raising graduation rates.

 

Annual Progress Report on Graduation Rates

• First Annual Graduation Rates Initiative Progress Report (April 2007)
• The University of Texas System Graduation Rates Initiative Progress Report, presentation to The University of Texas Board of Regents, May 9, 2007

 

UT System Board of Regents' Resolution to Improve Graduation Rates

At their February 2006 meeting, the UT System Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution making improving graduation rates one of its highest educational priorities for the next decade. Read the resolution.

 

Campus Initiatives

Responsible for improving the graduation rates at their institutions, the presidents are implementing a number of campus-level initiatives and programs to help students complete their degrees on time.

• "UTEP maps out plans to increase rate of graduation," El Paso Times - 05/11/06
• "UTSA sets goals to raise graduation rates over a decade," San Antonio Express-News - 05/11/06
• "UTPB addresses graduation rates," Midland Reporter-Telegram - 03/13/2006

 

Graduation Rate Trends and Targets

• Comparison of Institution Graduation Rates and Additional Graduation Rates Background Information (March 2006)
• Campus targets, from the Meeting of The University of Texas System Board of Regents, Agenda Book Materials, May 10-11, 2006
• For more data on UT System graduation rates, see the 2006-07 Accountability Report, Section I, pages 31-40 (academic) and page 94 (health)

 

Graduation Rate Studies and Reports

In 2005, the UT System Office of Academic Affairs hosted a statewide conference on graduation rates. A number of resources on graduation rates are available from the UT System, as well as numerous state and national reports and studies.

 

UT System:

• "UT System Reports on Timely Graduation Required by House Bill 1172," Office of Academic Affairs, January 2007
• "UT System Reports on Timely Graduation Required by House Bill 1172," Office of Academic Affairs, February 2006
• "UT System Graduation Rates Initiative," Office of Academic Affairs (from the November 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents)
• UT System's Conference on Graduation Rates, hosted by the Office of Academic Affairs, September 2005. Papers and presentations from this conference focusing on significant research findings and best practices for improving student success.
• Approval of Tuition and Fee Plans for U. T. Arlington and U. T. Dallas, from the minutes of the meeting of the UT System Board of Regents on April 1, 2005

 

Other Sources:

• Reading Between the Lines: What the ACT Reveals About College Readiness in Reading," 2006, ACT
• "The Toolbox Revisited: Paths to Degree Completion from High School Through College," U.S. Department of Education, February 2006
• "Student Success in State Colleges and Universities: A Report of the Graduation Rate Outcomes Study," American Association of State Colleges and Universities, September 2005 (executive summary available free online)
• "First-Generation Students in Postsecondary Education: A Look at Their College Transcripts," National Center for Education Statistics, Postsecondary Education Descriptive Analysis Report, July 2005
• "Student Retention and Graduation: Facing the Truth, Living with the Consequences," The Pell Institute, Occasional Paper, July 2004
• "Latino Students and the Educational Pipeline Part III: Pathways to the Bachelor’s Degree for Latino Students," Educational Policy Institute, April 2005
• "The Role of Academic and Non-Academic Factors in Improving College Retention," ACT Policy Report, October 2004
• "Facilitating Student Success in Achieving the Baccalaureate Degree," Report of the California State University Task Force on Facilitating Graduation, December 2002
• "Information for Policymakers: What Works in Student Retention?" ACT
• The Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange
• College Results Online, The Education Trust
• IPEDS Peer Analysis System, National Center for Education Statistics
• Graduation Rates for Selected Bachelor-Degree-Granting Colleges by Race/Ethnicity and Gender, developed by Nate Johnson using IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey Data