Given the rapidly changing nature of the global economy, with its emphasis on information and technology, there is growing consensus among policymakers, the business community, and educational leaders that postsecondary entrance and completion is the key to future economic and societal wealth in the United States. As a result, the nation is seeing an increased focus and effort to adequately prepare high school students to be successful in postsecondary education, whether it is a technical degree or a 2- or 4-year college degree. The state of Texas has recently implemented several initiatives designed to strengthen the college readiness of its high school graduates as well as increase the number of post-secondary degrees awarded in the state. The goals of these reforms in high schools hold the potential to ensure the continued growth of the Texas economy. By understanding the types of instructional environments that provide strong structures of support to encourage skills and aspirations for a college-going culture, we can better equip high school students to meet the 21st-century challenges. This report examines students’ progress through high school and enrollment in postsecondary education. Specifically, this report focuses on a cohort of Texas students who were high school freshman in the school year 2003-04. The report addresses high school matriculation, graduation rates, college readiness, and the college-going patterns. The cohort analysis includes all Texas students, Regional Education Service Center IV students, and Houston Independent School District students. The analysis disaggregates students by ethnicity and socioeconomic-status.