Higher Ed + Workforce

Putting students on the path to economic mobility

Let’s ensure all of our students have access to the credentials they need to thrive.

Pathways to prosperity

To equip young people for the future and close unsustainable gaps in our regional economy, we must provide accessible pathways for Dallas County students to achieve the degrees and certificates they need to participate in the 21st century economy.

Illustration of Briefcase with Shape of Texas

63%

of all jobs in Texas
will require some
postsecondary
education by 2031

Data inform our educational priorities

We measure critical indicators we know drive progress towards our true north goal.

Financial Aid Completion

Students who complete the financial aid process are nearly 2x as likely to enroll in a postsecondary institution.

Postsecondary Enrollment

Currently fewer than half of Dallas County K-12 students go on to enroll in higher education.

Photo of mother embracing daughter's face in graduation attire

Credential Attainment

Young people with a postsecondary credential can expect to earn at least $750K more in their lifetime compare to peers with only a high school diploma.

Dallas County Promise

The Dallas County Promise supports students in navigating their best-fit postsecondary options with the ultimate goal for students to be successful in college, career, and life. Promise Scholars can be offered a last-dollar tuition grant to help reduce financial barriers present in accessing a postsecondary education at partner colleges and universities.

Collaboration is critical

The work of the Dallas County Promise is made possible by leaders of the 85 participating high school campuses across 13 Dallas County school systems and 9 higher education institutions. It is further enabled by these community partners:

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Economic Mobility Systems

Economic Mobility Systems provides innovative, student-centered data platforms to drive college and workforce outcomes.

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Education is Freedom

Education is Freedom is a college access provider transforming lives through education across Dallas County.

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The Dallas County Promise team collaborates with these partners to:

Build capacity for high school counseling staff
Provide data tools and support to allow for targeted advising
Provide one-on-one support to students via text and email
Host a yearly “Promise Challenge” in which students propose new strategies for increasing postsecondary access

Photo of students reading in a classroom

Thanks to the Promise, I got my associate degree from [Dallas College’s Richland campus] in 2020 and my bachelor’s degree in 2022 from Midwestern State University Texas… The Dallas County Promise gave me an outlet to a future I didn’t know was possible.

– Promise Scholar Brooklyn Fairley