Student Futures Project

The Student Futures Project (SFP), formerly the High School Graduate Data Center, is a partnership among Skillpoint Alliance, the Ray Marshall Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and ten Central Texas independent school districts (ISDs).  The Project is generously supported by the Austin Chamber of Commerce and TG.

Project History and Purpose

Begun during the 2004-05 school year with Austin, Del Valle, Pflugerville, and Round Rock ISDs, the SFP has grown to include Bastrop, Eanes, Hays, Leander, Manor, and San Marcos ISDs.  Because these ten school districts contain approximately 80% of Central Texas high school graduates, the Project is well positioned to accurately describe what happens to the region’s students after they receive their high school diploma.

The SFP is able to follow Central Texas high school graduates as they enroll at institutions of higher education and/or enter the Texas workforce.  The purpose of the Project is to follow each graduating class for four years and identify the personal, family, high school, and financial factors that help explain why they make certain education and career decisions.  Public school and postsecondary educators, employers, community organizations, and policymakers can then use this information to identify strategies that will help students make the successful transition from high school to further education and employment.

New research reports and supporting materials for the Classes of 2006, 2007, and 2008 will be released in early 2009.  Two Community Briefings will be held to discuss the reports’ findings and talk about how the information can be used to improve programs and services for students.