The Austin Chamber announced results for the first year of the 20,010 in 2010 initiative to increase higher education enrollment from this region by 30% between 2005 and 2010 at its second State of education in Austin event, November 27 at the Frank Erwin Center. While the Austin Chamber found performance growth in key measures despite a regional student population that is increasingly from families eligible for price supported lunches, a faster rate of improvement is necessary to meet the primary goal of increasing college enrollment sufficient to meet regional talent needs.

Key Chamber findings presented at the State of Education event include:

• The percent of Austin's population enrolled in higher education increased from 4.4% to 4.5%
• The direct to college enrollment rate of our region's high school seniors increased from 56% to 57%
• Completion of the Apply Texas Application (formerly known as the Texas Common Application) has increased
• Completion of financial aid forms increased by 2.3% year over year in three targeted school districts
• Graduation at the college/workplace ready level has increased from 39% to 43%

The Chamber's State of Education event featured David Booth, CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, who relocated his 800 employee financial services company from California to Austin to capitalize on its quality of life and talent base. Dr. Norman Chenven, CEO of Austin Regional Clinic discussed why and how the Austin Chamber is engaged in increasing the talent pipeline, to continue to power Metro Austin's economic growth and expand the quality of life.

“The tendency is for winners to be better educated,” said Booth in discussing the relationship between education and globalization and income differences. “The widening of the gap of income can be directly correlated to the increased value in education. With the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the businesses, we can overcome these obstacles.”

Gene Austin, CEO of Convio, provided significant details about how the 20,010 Coalition, led by the Austin Chamber and comprised of 7 school districts, 8 institutions of higher education, and 25 community based organizations, is focused on improving the college enrollment rate through strategies to increase completion of college applications, financial aid forms, and graduating academically ready for college level work.

“Creating a culture of college starts with the parents even before elementary school,” said Austin. “A year ago, we had a matriculation rate of 52%. We’re trying to get to 64% by 2010.”

Susan Dawson of the E3 Alliance provided an update on their work as it fit into the overall education improvement picture.

Additionally, the Austin Chamber highlighted several key performers in our first 20,010 in 2010 Awards ceremony.

Business Leadership Award: Paul Carrozza, President, Run-Tex
Direct to College Enrollment Growth, ISD Category: Austin ISD
Direct to College Enrollment, Campus Category: Westlake HS, Eanes ISD
Direct to College Enrollment Growth, Campus Category: Crockett HS, Austin ISD
College Enrollment Management Rapid Growth Award, ISD level: Manor ISD
FAFSA Completion Award, Campus Category: LBJ High School, Austin ISD
High School Graduate Survey Award: Del Valle HS, Del Valle ISD
20,010 in 2010 Superintendent Leadership Award: Dr. Jesus Chavez, Superintendent, Round Rock ISD

Presenting the awards were Dr. Jesus Chavez, superintendent of Round Rock ISD; Dr. Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education; and Dr. Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, Deputy Education Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency.