Gov. Greg Abbott and other higher education officials present the 60x30TX plan Nov. 16 at the Collin College Higher Education Center.[/caption]
Gov. Greg Abbott and state higher education officials visited the Collin College Higher Education Center Nov. 16 to present the new 60x30TX plan.
The plan aims to have at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 obtain a college certificate or degree by 2030.
The plan was made in response to Texas’ need to meet the workforce demands, Abbott said.
“The strength of the Texas economy emanates from our tremendous workforce,” he said. “…However it is clear to everyone in this room today that even though we have a top-quality workforce, we don’t have enough of that workforce to meet the job growth needs that we have in this state.”
Besides the overarching goal, the plan outlines three main goals: helping students complete college, having students develop marketable skills and reducing student debt.
The plan lays out interim benchmarks for Texas colleges and universities to meet in order to achieve the four goals. One of the benchmarks includes increasing the percentage of Texans ages 25-34 who have a certificate or degree every five years until 2030. Currently 38.3 percent of Texans in that age range have obtained a degree or certificate.
Gov. Greg Abbott addresses media while presenting the 60x30TX plan, which aims to have 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 obtain a college certificate or degree by 2030.[/caption]
One of the challenges with the plan is meeting the needs of minority and economically disadvantaged students, who are less likely to complete a college degree or certificate.
About 43 percent of the 25-34-year-old population in Texas today is Hispanic, and that number is expected to grow to 52 percent by 2030. The plan states that poverty within this demographic has also increased over the years.
Raymund Paredes, Texas commissioner of higher education, said there are several ways to help reduce the cost of college, including lowering the number of required credit hours to complete a degree program and implementing more online programs.
Abbott said this past Texas Legislature took strides to ensure students received college credit for obtaining a certain score on AP exams and by making sure community college courses transferred to four-year colleges.
“We need to find ways to hold down the cost of higher education,” Abbott said.
Click
here to read the full 60x30TX plan.
Gov. Greg Abbott and other higher education officials present the 60x30TX plan Nov. 16 at the Collin College Higher Education Center.[/caption]
Gov. Greg Abbott and state higher education officials visited the Collin College Higher Education Center Nov. 16 to present the new 60x30TX plan.
The plan aims to have at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 obtain a college certificate or degree by 2030.
The plan was made in response to Texas’ need to meet the workforce demands, Abbott said.
“The strength of the Texas economy emanates from our tremendous workforce,” he said. “…However it is clear to everyone in this room today that even though we have a top-quality workforce, we don’t have enough of that workforce to meet the job growth needs that we have in this state.”
Besides the overarching goal, the plan outlines three main goals: helping students complete college, having students develop marketable skills and reducing student debt.
The plan lays out interim benchmarks for Texas colleges and universities to meet in order to achieve the four goals. One of the benchmarks includes increasing the percentage of Texans ages 25-34 who have a certificate or degree every five years until 2030. Currently 38.3 percent of Texans in that age range have obtained a degree or certificate.
Gov. Greg Abbott addresses media while presenting the 60x30TX plan, which aims to have 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 obtain a college certificate or degree by 2030.[/caption]
One of the challenges with the plan is meeting the needs of minority and economically disadvantaged students, who are less likely to complete a college degree or certificate.
About 43 percent of the 25-34-year-old population in Texas today is Hispanic, and that number is expected to grow to 52 percent by 2030. The plan states that poverty within this demographic has also increased over the years.
Raymund Paredes, Texas commissioner of higher education, said there are several ways to help reduce the cost of college, including lowering the number of required credit hours to complete a degree program and implementing more online programs.
Abbott said this past Texas Legislature took strides to ensure students received college credit for obtaining a certain score on AP exams and by making sure community college courses transferred to four-year colleges.
“We need to find ways to hold down the cost of higher education,” Abbott said.
Click here to read the full 60x30TX plan.
