Metro Austin has one of the best educated talent bases in the world. More than two-thirds of our population has some college education. Approximately 40% has at least a bachelor’s degree. Metro Austin, however, imports much of this skilled labor through enrollment at UT-Austin or through employment at many of our high-technology companies. Though improving, the metro area actually lags in the percentage of its “home-grown” population attending higher education. The premium for education continues to grow. To provide more opportunities for our residents, Metro Austin should increase its higher education enrollment percentage from approximately 67,000 or 4.4% of the home grown population, in 2000, to 100,000 in 2015 or 6%. Over the last five years, Metro Austin higher education enrollment increases have kept up with overall population growth, but our growth trajectory is only half what it needs to be. The Chamber’s education initiatives were established to help increase metro-Austin’s college enrollment rate by 20,010 more students by the year 2010.

Actions Which Require Assistance

• Invest in Opportunity Austin 2.0, which finances the 20,010 by 2010 Initiative.
• Support regional efforts to increase completion of the Apply Texas Application.
• Execute plan to increase 15% annually college-ready graduates through Austin Partners in Education and others.
• Execute plan to increase 7% annually the submission of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.
• Assist Foundation Communities in preparing IRS tax forms to help expedite the financial aid application process.
• Assist with college preparation/enrollment through the Skillpoint Alliance College & Career Fair October 7, 2009.
• Ensure Texas regulators provide graduation reports no later than 150 days after May graduation.
• Ensure Texas regulators increase “college ready” standard to reflect actual college readiness expectations.
• Work with Legislature to align accreditation in K12 accountability system with student college readiness.
• Work with Legislature to align college readiness with state $550 million TEXAS Grant financial aid program.

The 20,010 by 2010 initiative was unveiled at the Chamber's State of Education in Austin event in November 2006.

2008 State of Education in Austin
Video
Slide Presentation
Photos of the Event

2007 State of Education in Austin
Slide Presentation
College Essay Winner

2006 State of Education in Austin
Slide Presentation

The Austin Chamber of Commerce unveiled the first Community College Progress Report in the nation on October 19, 2007 at the Austin Chamber-IBM Roundtable. The report, produced by an Austin Chamber Task Force made up of leaders in the business community, details Austin Community College’s enrollment and graduation numbers, talent development specific to growing industries in the Austin area and the college’s production of graduates in certain areas of Metro Austin’s growing workforce.

10.19.07—Austin Chamber-IBM Roundtable Presentation
10.19.07—2007 Austin Community College Progress Report
10.12.09—2008 Austin Community College Progress Report

Beginning December 2005 the Austin Chamber of Commerce tasked volunteers from a diverse selection of community and business leaders with the goal of determining Austin Independent School District’s progress in graduating students who are college and career ready. In following years more school districts and more data has been added.

2009
03.31.10—2009 Austin Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Bastrop Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Del Valle Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Eanes Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Hays Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Leander Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Manor Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Pflugerville Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 Round Rock Community Education Progress Report
03.31.10—2009 San Marcos Community Education Progress Report

2008
06.23.09—2008 Austin Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Bastrop Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Eanes Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Hays Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Leander Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Manor Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Pflugerville Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 Round Rock Community Education Progress Report
06.23.09—2008 San Marcos Community Education Progress Report

2007
03.19.08—2007 Austin Community Education Progress Report
03.19.08—2007 Bastrop Community Education Progress Report
03.19.08—2007 Manor Community Education Progress Report
03.19.08—2007 Pflugerville Community Education Progress Report
03.19.08—2007 Round Rock Community Education Progress Report

2006
12.08.06—2006 Austin Community Education Progress Report
12.08.06—2006 Bastrop Community Education Progress Report
12.08.06—2006 Round Rock Community Education Progress Report

2005
12.19.05—2005 Austin ISD Community Education Progress Report

• Recruit the assistance of business leaders for short- and long-term success.
• Promote strategic planning aligned with region’s education goals.
• Deliver on key Chamber investments to improve college and talent readiness.
• Advance public understanding of education successes/challenges.