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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

2021-22 School Year: 80% of the 1,429 students at Nimitz Middle School not on "college track"

Commissioner of education mike morath 2023

TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education

TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education

Of the 1,429 students at Nimitz Middle School in Odessa, 1,144 (80%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Petroplex News' analysis of test scores from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). To better understand these statistics, it's important to know what TSI (Texas Success Initiative) and CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) are, as they are key indicators of a student's readiness for post-secondary education or career paths.

Primary data on overall student readiness in Nimitz Middle School is derived from the TSI's assessments, which evaluate student capabilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. Certain students may qualify for exemptions from these assessments. In contrast, CCMR focuses on preparedness for life post-high school, factoring in TSI scores along with other criteria like dual credits, AP/IB exam results, and more, to provide insights into specific subject performance.

In the 2021-22 school year, Nimitz Middle School's student population was made up of 1,429 students, of which 174 were Hispanic, 78 White, 16 Asian, 10 African American, six Multiracial, and two American Indian students.

Data shows that 53% (16) of Nimitz Middle School 31 Asian students, 43% of its five American Indian students, 26% (78) of its 302 white students, 19% of its 32 multiracial students, 18% (174) of its 967 Hispanic students, and 11% (10) of its 91 African American students had "mastered" their grade level in the 2021-22 school year and were "on track for college and career readiness," as measured by state academic standards.

The TEA says students who meet, but haven't mastered their grade level are "prepared to progress to the next grade," but are not on a college track.

In 2020-21, the TEA noted that 1,232 Nimitz Middle School students - equivalent to 88% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 80%, marking an 8% decrease from the previous year.

Despite an improvement after the pandemic, Texas students are still struggling to keep a good performance and reach grade level in schools. In the 2021-22 school year, nearly two-thirds (60%) of students were below grade level in math and 48% did not meet the standards in reading language and arts.

According to Chandra Villanueva, director of policy and advocacy for Every Texan, one of the main causes for this is bad funds management. "Your average homeowner is like, 'Look, I'm paying more and more every single year. Why are my schools still underfunded, overcrowded, my teachers underpaid? Obviously, the schools are doing a bad job with my money,'" she said in an interview. Currently, Texas residents pay more than $70 billion annually in taxes destined to public education.

Gov. Abbott has been calling not only for an end to the main school property tax, but to use public money to support private schools. The initiative is called universal private school choice and, if passed, would allow residents to use taxpayer money to pay for their kids' private education.

"School choice not only improves education for every kid and every parent who chooses that pathway," Abbott said at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 16.

Students On and Off College Track by Race at Nimitz Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

0100200300400500600700HispanicWhiteAfrican AmericanMultiracialAsianAmerican Indian174174793793787822422410108181662626161615152233On college trackNot on college track

Students on College Track by School in Ector County ISD in 2021-22 School Year

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Alter Education Center31100%
Austin Montessori Magnet51283%
Barbara Jordan Elementary School77977%
Blanton Elementary School50679%
Bonham Middle School96990%
Bowie Middle School1,01390%
Burleson Elementary School43594%
Burnet Elementary School41482%
Cameron Dual Language Magnet58279%
Crockett Middle School99989%
Dowling Elementary School37788%
Ector College Prep Success Academy1,35085%
Edward K. Downing Elementary School83392%
Elementary Magnet at Blackshear60291%
Elementary Magnet at Hays41571%
Elementary Magnet at Milam Elementary School62283%
Elementary Magnet at Reagan Elementary School60741%
Elementary Magnet at Travis28691%
G. E. 'Buddy' West Elementary School65290%
Gale Pond Alamo Elementary School34666%
George H. W. Bush New Tech Odessa44084%
Goliad Elementary School57290%
Gonzales Elementary School47886%
Ireland Elementary School43682%
L. B. Johnson Elementary School57689%
Lauro Cavazos Elementary School65893%
Lee Buice Elementary School83778%
Murry Fly Elementary School94782%
Nimitz Middle School1,42980%
Noel Elementary School44591%
Odessa Career and Technical Early College High School34877%
Odessa Collegiate Academy Early College High School37275%
Odessa High School3,89194%
Permian High School3,72192%
Ross Elementary School38287%
Sam Houston Elementary School35790%
San Jacinto Elementary School47376%
Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School1,25084%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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