In an effort to improve quality of life for current and future generations of Texas Panhandle residents, Amarillo Area Foundation is using a data-informed approach to address early childhood literacy (with a 2-generation approach) and college enrollment/workforce alignment.
Below is a summary of some of the data that assisted in identifying these needs and that will be used to inform what strategies we deploy in addressing them.
Total
Student Population
The Texas Panhandle is home to nearly 82,000 public schools, K-12 students. These students attend public schools in 61 different school districts across 26 counties, making the Texas Panhandle a diverse and vibrant place for education.
82
Students
61
School Districts
26
Counties
Population
By Race/Ethnicity
Like our school districts, the Texas Panhandle is home to a diverse student population. The majority of students in the area are considered students of color.
| Black | Asian | Hispanic | Two or More Races | White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Student Population | 5.2% | 2.6% | 48.4% | 2.3% | 40.9% |
| # of Students | 2,170 | 4,263 | 39,631 | 1,899 | 33,535 |
Approximately 58% of students in the Texas Panhandle are considered economically disadvantaged.
3rd Grade
Literacy
AAF is committed to supporting education in the region and is focused on early literacy and ensuring more students are accessing and enrolling in higher education after high school. Literacy is a foundational skill necessary for success later in life. Literacy is important for students as they progress through school, and is also foundational to a student’s future and career, including living a healthy and vibrant life. As a strategic focus for the Amarillo Area Foundation, we are committed to helping improve literacy rates in the region alongside nonprofits, partners, and school districts. Only 43% of third-grade students in the Texas Panhandle are reading on grade level which lags the State of Texas’ rate of 45%. We see an opportunity to improve literacy in the region towards supporting better education outcomes for students.
3rd-Grade Reading/ELA, Meets Grade Level
Region 16 vs. State of Texas
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As our work continues to evolve and grow, we would love to keep you updated on our progress.
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3rd Grade Literacy
By Race/Ethnicity
Literacy proficiency looks different across student populations in the Texas Panhandle. As the demographics of the region change, AAF is committed to investing in all students to ensure a strong future and workforce for the Texas Panhandle.
Immediate
College Enrollment
To ensure a robust economy and future workforce, its important to ensure more of our students are accessing the necessary education and training after high school to transition into jobs and careers that provide a living and family sustaining wage. To build on existing legacy programs at the Amarillo Area Foundation such as ACE, THRIVE, and our Scholarships program, we are invested in creating supports so that more Texas Panhandle students have the opportunity to enroll in higher education.
The greatest likelihood of a student enrolling in college is immediately after high school and the likelihood of a student enrolling in college diminishes each year after that. As an organization, we’re focused on increasing the area’s immediate college enrollment rate and ensuring Texas Panhandle high school seniors have the support necessary to access and enroll in post-secondary education.
Texas Panhandle 2019
Texas Panhandle 2020
Where We’re Investing
Scholarships
3 unique programs designed with the future of the Panhandle in mind.
| Year | ACE | Thrive | Traditional Scholarships | Total |
| 2019 | $ 765,768 | $ 341,488 | $ 1,014,152 | $ 2,121,408 |
| 2020 | $ 844,343 | $ 1,182,700 | $ 1,120,400 | $ 3,147,443 |
| 2021 | $ 922,827 | $ 1,250,080 | $ 1,079,300 | $ 3,252,207 |
| Grand Total | $ 8,521,058 |
Education Focused Grants
StoryBridge
Book Warehouse Expansion
$165,000
Stepping Stones Learning Center
Quality of Care Initiative
$123,800
Don Harrington Discovery Center
Life & Earth Science Exhibit
$100,000
Refugee Language Project
Heritage Language Storybook Project
$60,000
Ogallala Commons
Homecoming Career Education in Southwest Texas Panhandle
$30,000
Window On a Wider World
Education Beyond the Classroom
$30,000
Youth Success Project
Expansion of Youth Program
$30,000
Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo
Youth Development Education Program
$70,870
Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo
Youth Development Education Program
$70,870
Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo
Education Program Expansion
$50,000
Texas Panhandle War Memorial
Interactive Educational Exhibits
$125,000
Friends of the Amarillo Library
Amarillo Public Library Makerspace
$26,275
Frank Phillips College
Rural Nursing Education
$250,000
Panhandle Plains Historical Museum
STEAM Lab Renovation
$175,000
$1,235,945
Granted since 2019
What We’re Doing
Listen to our interview with Jim Whitton. Jim talks about being jolted by early childhood statistics which motivated him to act.
Listen Here
