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The ability of the Texas Panhandle to thrive in the 21st century global knowledge-based economy hinges on the quality and educational attainment level of its workforce, which is currently lower than the state and national average. As Texas grows and changes, so do the challenges facing it and our region. Out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., Texas now ranks 51st in the number of adults with a high school diploma. Texas ranks 44th for the number of children living in poverty. The percentage of Amarillo ISD school children who come from low socio-economic homes went up to over 68% from 50% just ten years ago. Our poverty rates are growing, and while our unemployment rates remain low, but so do our average wages when compared to other communities. Students will need some sort of postsecondary training or education to earn a living wage. “Only households headed by a college graduate saw their income rise over the past 20 years.” (Council on Competiveness) Panhandle Twenty/20 has focused heavily on improving regional levels of educational attainment since 2006. This concentrated effort helped create support for the recent Bill and Melinda Gates Partners for Postsecondary Success Grant awarded to the Amarillo Area Foundation. This partnership is focused on doubling the number of young adults who obtain a postsecondary degree and then get a living wage job. Panhandle Twenty/20 continues to address this issue by being an active participant in the PPS partnership. After a year-long community study, in 2007 Panhandle Twenty/20 released The Panhandle Imperative: Economic Implications of Educational Attainment in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. In 2008 a follow-up report was released to summarize a number of actions which had been taken to improve educational attainment in the Texas Panhandle. A Community in Action (.pdf) — an update on community solutions in response to educational attainment concerns. |
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A catalyst for positive change in the Texas Panhandle
