Texas has set ambitious goals in the past, and we are not backing away from them — instead, we’re raising the bar. Our economy demands nothing less. Building a Talent Strong Texas expands on the successes and progress of our previous plan, 60x30TX, by widening the lens for higher education.
The plan will focus on three measurable, data-driven goals:
1. Attainment of Postsecondary Credentials
Building a Talent Strong Texas expands attainment to include all working-age Texans. In doing so, we can increase employment opportunities and income for individuals, create a deeper talent pool for employers, and align students’ skills with workforce demands.
TARGETS
- 60% of Texans ages 25-64 will receive a degree, certificate, or other postsecondary credential of value by 2030. Whereas 60x30TX focused on 25-34-year-olds, we are expanding our commitment to serve all working-age Texans.
2. Postsecondary Credentials of Value
Credentials from Texas institutions of higher education must propel graduates into lasting, successful careers. These careers must equip them for continued learning and greater earning potential, with low or manageable debt.
TARGETS
- 550,000 students will complete postsecondary credentials of value each year.
- 95% of students will graduate with no undergraduate student debt or manageable levels of debt in relation to their potential earnings.
3. Research, Development, and Innovation
Texas must be a leading state in generating knowledge through basic and applied research, and translating that research to innovations, discoveries, and economic development. This requires close partnership among key stakeholders to drive Texas’ economy.
TARGETS
- Increase of $1 billion in annual private and federal research and development expenditures by 2030
- 7,500 research doctorates awarded annually by Texas institutions of higher education
Across all these goals, we will break down the data by race and ethnicity, gender, income, and geography to make sure all Texans have an opportunity to succeed. Over the past decade, 95% of our state’s population growth was in communities of color. If we do not advance our higher education goals equitably, we can’t achieve them.