DIFFERENCES IN TEXAS POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT AS A FUNCTION OF HIGH SCHOOL SIZE

Examined in this study were differences in postsecondary enrollment of graduates in Texas between high schools based on their student enrollment. Data were downloaded from the Texas Academic Performance Report for the 2012-2013 school year on all Texas high schools. Four school size categories were used in this investigation: small-size = 50-500 students; moderate-size = 501-1,499 students; large-size = 1,500-2,499 students; and very large-size = 2,500 or more students. The two postsecondary variables of interest were the number of graduates who enrolled in a Texas higher education institution who met the Texas Success Initiative in all subjects and the number of graduates who enrolled in a Texas higher education institution. Inferential analyses yielded statistically significant results for enrollment rates in Texas higher education but not for completing one year without remediation. Graduates from very-large size high schools had statistically significantly higher enrollment rates in Texas higher education institutions than small-size high schools. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for further research are made.