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Friday, November 22, 2024

Analysis: 389 of 422 students at Iltexas Lancaster Middle 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 422 students at Iltexas Lancaster Middle School in Lancaster, 389 (92%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to SW Dallas 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 Iltexas Lancaster 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, Iltexas Lancaster Middle School's student population was made up of 422 students, of which 17 were Hispanic, 14 African American, three Multiracial, and one White students.

Data shows that 32% of Iltexas Lancaster Middle School 11 multiracial students, 9% (17) of its 199 Hispanic students, 7% (14) of its 202 African American students, and 6% of its seven white 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 430 Iltexas Lancaster Middle School students - equivalent to 95% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 92%, marking a 3% 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 Iltexas Lancaster Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150African AmericanHispanicMultiracialWhiteAsian14141881881717182182338811660022On college trackNot on college track

Students on College Track by School in International Leadership of Texas (ILTEXAS) in 2021-22 School Year

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Iltexas Aggieland High School14975%
Iltexas Arlington Elementary School72687%
Iltexas Arlington Middle School38383%
Iltexas Arlington-Grand Prairie High School67590%
Iltexas College Station Elementary94473%
Iltexas College Station Middle44771%
Iltexas East Fort Worth Elementary School75793%
Iltexas East Fort Worth Middle School40592%
Iltexas Garland Elementary School96581%
Iltexas Garland High School55786%
Iltexas Garland Middle School48077%
Iltexas Grand Prairie Elementary School94787%
Iltexas Grand Prairie Middle School46685%
Iltexas Houston Orem Elementary School84992%
Iltexas Houston Orem Middle School45794%
Iltexas Houston Windmill Lakes Elementary School82992%
Iltexas Houston Windmill Lakes Middle School44391%
Iltexas Houston Windmill Lakes Orem High School49095%
Iltexas Katy Elementary School94179%
Iltexas Katy Middle School42477%
Iltexas Katy Westpark High School71186%
Iltexas Keller Elementary School94367%
Iltexas Keller Middle School42770%
Iltexas Keller Saginaw High School75287%
Iltexas Lancaster Desoto High School21694%
Iltexas Lancaster Elementary School77592%
Iltexas Lancaster Middle School42292%
Iltexas North Richland Hills Elementary School88191%
Iltexas North Richland Hills Middle School43090%
Iltexas Saginaw Elementary School93487%
Iltexas Saginaw Middle School42988%
Iltexas Westpark Elementary School84673%
Iltexas Westpark Middle School43585%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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