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By David Kim•Last Updated May 7, 2025

Texas Education Rankings: Where the Lone Star State Stands

Texas education rankings: a comprehensive overview

When examine how Texas rank in education compare to other states, we find a complex picture with both strengths and significant challenges. The lone star state’s educational system serve over 5.4 million students, make it the sec largest public school system in the United States. With such a massive and diverse student population, Texas face unique hurdles in deliver quality education across the board.

Texas’s overall education ranking

Accord to multiple comprehensive assessments, Texas typically rank in the bottom half of states for overall education quality. The near recent quality counts report card publish by education week place Texas in 39th place nationwide. This ranking consider factors include academic achievement, school finance, and long term educational outcomes.

Likewise, u.s. news & world report’s education rankings position Texas 34th boiler suit among all states. These rankings examine both k 12 education performance and higher education outcomes, provide a broad view of the educational landscape.

Academic performance ranking

When look specifically at academic achievement, Texas show mixed results:

4th grade reading: Texas rank forty-fifth nationwide
4th grade math: Texas rank 18th nationwide
8th grade reading: Texas rank forty-first nationwide
8th grade math: Texas rank twenty-fifth nationwide

These figures from the national assessment of educational progress (nNADP) frequently call the “” tion’s report card, ” ” eal that texaTexasdents perform comparatively bettbetter at mathematicsn in read comprehension.

Education funding rankings

One critical factor affect Texas education outcomes is fund. The state systematically rank near the bottom in per pupil funding:

Texas rank forty-third in per pupil spending, allocate roughly $9,600 per student compare to the national average of $$12600
The state rank 40th in teacher pay, with average salaries fall below the national average
Texas rank forty-fifth in spending as a percentage of taxpayer income

This persistent underfunding create challenges for school districts attempt to provide quality education, peculiarly in economically disadvantaged communities. The funding disparities between wealthy and poor districts remain significant despite various school finance reforms.

Educational attainment ranking

When examine longer term educational outcomes, Texas again show a mixed picture:

High school graduation rate: Texas rank sixteenth nationwide with an 89.6 % graduation rate
College readiness: Texas rank 36th nationwide
Adults with bachelor’s degrees: Texas rank 31st with roughly 30 % of adults hold a four-year degree

The comparatively strong high school graduation rate represent a bright spot in Texas education, though critics note that graduation standards have been adjusted over time, potentially inflate this metric.

Demographic factors and achievement gaps

Texas face particular challenges relate to its diverse student population:

English language learners: some 20 % of Texas students are English language learners, create additional educational needs
Economically disadvantaged students: most 60 % of Texas public school students qualify for free or reduce price lunch
Achievement gap: significant performance gaps exist between white students and black and Hispanic students, equally advantageously as between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students

These demographic factors present challenges that affect overall state rankings. Yet, they besides highlight areas where target interventions could importantly improve educational outcomes.

Higher education rankings

Texas perform moderately better in higher education metrics:

Overall higher education: Texas rank 27th nationwide
College affordability: Texas rank 22nd
Research universities: Texas is home to several top tier research institutions, include the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University

The state’s public university systems serve over 1.5 million students, with the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems being among the largest in the country. Texas has make efforts to improve college accessibility through programs like the top 10 % rule, which guarantee admission to state universities for students graduate in the top 10 % of their high school class.

Regional educational disparities

Education quality in Texas vary dramatically by region:

Urban districts in Dallas, Houston, and Austin frequently have both high-school perform magnet schools and struggle neighborhood schools
Suburban districts typically outperform state averages on most metrics
Rural districts face unique challenges include teacher recruitment difficulties and limited advanced course offerings
Border regions frequently struggle with additional challenges relate to poverty and English language learn

These regional disparities mean that educational experiences can differ dramatically depend on where students live within the state.

Areas of educational strength

Despite overall rankings that place Texas in the bottom half of states, several bright spots exist:

Stem education

Texas has invested importantly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic(( ste)) education. The state rank twenty-fourth in stem education quality, leading of its overall education ranking. Texas has implemented various initiatives to strengthen stem curriculum and increase student participation in these fields.

Career and technical education

Texas has developed robust career and technical educatio((CTE)) programs that prepare students for both college and careers. The state rank fifteenth nationwide in CTE program quality and participation rates. These programs offer industry certifications and pathways to in demand careers.

Early childhood education expansion

Texas has expandepre-kindergartenen programs in recent years, though access remain limited compare to lead states. PresentlyTexasas ranthirty-sixthth in preschool enrollment. Research systematically show that quality early childhood education improve long term educational outcomes.

Educational policy initiatives

Texas has implemented several major educational reforms in recent decades:

Accountability systems

Texas pioneer school accountability systems in the 1990s, develop an f rating system for schools and districts. This approach has influence education policy nationally, though critics argue it place overly much emphasis on standardized testing.

School choice expansion

Texas has expanded charter schools importantly, nowadays serve roughly 6 % of public school students. The state rank 10th in charter school growth but have more limited private school choice programs compare to some other states.

Teacher quality initiatives

Texas has implemented various programs aim at improve teacher quality, include alternative certification pathways and performance base incentives. Still, the statcontinuesue to struggle with teacher retention, rank 41st in teacher turnover rates.

Challenges and areas for improvement

Educational experts point to several areas where Texas could improve its educational rankings:

Read instruction

Texas’s especially low rankings in reading achievement suggest a need for improved literacy instruction. The state has latterly implement reading academies to train teachers in evidence base reading instruction, though results remain to be seen.

Education funding

The persistent underfunding of Texas public education affect everything from teacher quality to classroom resources. Recent legislative sessions have increase education funding, but Texas remain substantially below national averages.

Achievement gaps

Address the significant achievement gaps between student groups require target interventions and resources. Some districts have implemented promise approaches, but statewide progress has been limit.

The impact of COVID-19 on Texas education rankings

The COVID-19 pandemic has affect education nationally, and Texas is no exception. Early data suggest that the pandemic have:

Widen achievement gaps between student groups
Create significant learning losses, specially in mathematics
Accelerated teacher burnout and turnover

These impacts may affect Texas’s educational rankings in the come years, though all states face similar challenges.

Look forward: trends and projections

Several key trends may influence Texas’s future educational rankings:

Demographic shifts

Texas’s student population continue to grow more diverse, with increase percentages of Hispanic students and English language learners. Successfully will educate this will change student body will require targeted approaches and resources.

Economic factors

Texas’s strong economy create both opportunities and challenges for education. While economic growth provide potential resources for schools, it besides create workforce demands that may draw potential teachers to eminent pay careers.

Policy developments

Recent legislative sessions have focus on issues include teacher pay, school finance reform, and read instruction. The implementation and funding of these initiatives will influence future educational outcomes.

Conclusion: understanding Texas’s educational position

Texas’s educational rankings present a complex picture of a state with significant challenges but besides notable strengths and ongoing reform efforts. While Texas typically rank in the bottom half of states overall (34th 39th depend on the rank system ) its performance vavariesmportantly across different educational metrics.

The state perform comparatively better at mathematics than read, advantageously in high school graduation rates than college readiness, and advantageously in stem and career education than in early childhood programs. These nuances highlight the importance of look beyond simple rankings to understand the full educational landscape.

For policymakers, educators, and communities, these rankings provide both a sobering assessment of current challenges and a roadmap for potential improvements. By address persistent issues like education funding, achievement gaps, and read instruction while build on strengths in areas like stem education and career preparation, Texas have the opportunity to improve its educational standing nationwide while substantially serve its diverse student population.

Understand where Texas stand in education is not equitable about rankings but about recognize both the progress make and the work that remain to ensure all Texas students receive a quality education that prepare them for future success.