April 23, 2015 5:38 PM

Higher Education Coordinating Board ready to unveil new long-range plan

Trying to produce over a half-million degrees and certificates in the year 2013

Those who oversee the higher education system in Texas intend to set goals this summer to produce 550,000 degrees and certificates in 2030.

Commissioner Reymund Paredes and Vice Chair Bobby Jenkins of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced the 60x30Tx campaign at the recent State Board of Education meeting. The goal is for 60 percent of every Texas resident between 25 and 34 to hold either a certificate or degree in the year 2030, which will be a steep climb from the current completion rate of 38 percent.

The country could once depend on education to lift all people out of poverty, Paredes told the board. Out of every 100 eighth grade students in the Class of 2003, only 20 have earned a workforce credential or college degree in 11 years.

By Kimberly Reeves