Why Dallas Kids Aren't Earning Enough to Live

Let's talk about an issue that's crucial for Dallas' future. A recent report from Commit, an education advocacy group, found that kids born in Dallas County have a high chance of not earning enough to cover basic needs. This isn't just about keeping up with parents' lifestyles; it's about making ends meet. The report dug into data from the Texas Education Agency and Texas Workforce Commission. It found that Dallas County public school grads aged 25 to 30 earn an average of $45, 100 a year. That's not enough to pay all the bills, let alone get ahead. The problem? There's a gap between what kids learn in school and what they earn later. We're not just talking about college degrees. It's about getting some kind of postsecondary education or training. From 2009 to 2015, only 28. 2% of Dallas County high school grads got some postsecondary education. Their average income was $12, 000 less than the county's living wage benchmark of $58, 000.Now, look at a group from Uplift Education charter schools. Over 55% of their grads earned an associate's degree or higher, with an average salary of $69, 900. Low-income and minority students face big barriers. But Commit suggests three ways to help: using state funds for schools that prep kids for college and careers, hiring more counselors to guide students, and offering high-quality college-credit courses in high school. Dallas ISD is working on all this. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde is boosting counselors to help students plan for the future. We need to stay focused. Our schools are graduating too many kids who can't make enough to support themselves, much less a family. There's hope, and important work is happening. But we can't fail. Everyone suffers if we do.