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Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Analysis: 284 of 337 students at Jones Elementary School not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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 337 students at Jones Elementary School in Midland, 284 (84%) "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 Jones Elementary 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, Jones Elementary School's student population was made up of 337 students, of which 34 were Hispanic, 14 White, two Asian, and one African American students.

Data shows that 38% of Jones Elementary School six Asian students, 16% (34) of its 215 Hispanic students, 16% (14) of its 89 white students, and 11% of its 18 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 320 Jones Elementary School students - equivalent to 93% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 84%, marking a 9% 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 Jones Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150HispanicWhiteAfrican AmericanAsian3434181181141475751117172244On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Abell Junior High School1,10978%
Alamo Junior High School85186%
Barbara Fasken Elementary School88571%
Barbara Yarbrough Elementary School83276%
Bonham Elementary School48481%
Burnet Elementary School46087%
Bush Elementary School51278%
Carver Center46327%
De Zavala Elementary School61887%
Early College High School at Midland College34255%
Emerson Elementary School43565%
Fannin Elementary School59777%
General Tommy Franks Elementary School68576%
Goddard Junior High School1,05986%
Greathouse Elementary School83877%
Henderson Elementary School36577%
Idea Travis Academy92983%
James Bowie Fine Arts Academy48964%
Jones Elementary School33784%
Lamar Elementary School43388%
Legacy Freshman High School93988%
Legacy High School2,33886%
Long Elementary School55984%
Midland Alternative Program18100%
Midland Freshman High School85187%
Midland High School2,32391%
Milam Elementary School48589%
Parker Elementary School53382%
Pease Communications/Technology Academy46778%
Ralph Bunche Elementary School85389%
Rusk Elementary School39277%
Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary School45575%
San Jacinto Junior High School80480%
Santa Rita Elementary School55771%
Scharbauer Elementary School63687%
South Elementary School50389%
Viola M. Coleman High School19792%
Washington STEM Academy35287%
Young Women's Leadership Academy33048%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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