Can Texas Meet Its Lofty Goals for a Well-trained Workforce in 2030? Departing Higher Ed Leader Says State Must Do More

On Aug. 31, after 15 years as the state’s higher education commissioner, Raymund Paredes is resigning.“I just think it’s time to step down and give somebody else a chance,” said Paredes, an El Paso native and the longest-serving higher education executive officer in the country. Retirement isn’t in the works for Paredes, 76. At least, not just yet. He wants to stay in Austin, and work with colleges and school districts to make sure the state’s recent education reforms “become a reality.” Paredes spoke with The Dallas Morning News this month about what he’d like to see from higher education in Texas in the coming years:Can 60x30 be met?One of the major initiatives launched by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Paredes’ leadership is the 60x30 Texas program, which aims for 60 percent of the state’s 25- to 34-year-old workforce to have a postsecondary degree or credential by the year 2030.  Continue reading...