Understanding the unique needs of Harris County school districts begins with a closer look at the data shaping them. Nearly 30 members of #TeamHCDE who regularly collaborate with local districts attended the “State of Education in Harris County” on Oct. 10, a hands-on workshop designed to dive deep into research. Yolanda Pyrtle, director of the Research and Evaluation Institute, and her team led the half-day session that explored key data sets on enrollment trends, student-teacher demographics and other district-level shifts that tell the story of change across the county.  

Organizers also compared data from before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to explore how student populations have evolved and how staffing patterns influence the educational landscape. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the districts HCDE serves and tangible tools to strengthen partnerships, make more informed decisions and deliver targeted support to districts.