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Saturday, September 21, 2024

Analysis: 23 of 24 students at Austin Academic Center not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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Edward V. Arnold | seyfarth.com

Edward V. Arnold | seyfarth.com

Of the 24 students at Austin Academic Center in Livingston, 23 (96%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Upper East Texas 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 Austin Academic Center 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, Austin Academic Center's student population was made up of 24 students, of which one were White students.

Data shows that 14% of Austin Academic Center 12 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.

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 Austin Academic Center in 2021-22 School Year

0510WhiteHispanicAfrican American11111100770033On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Austin Academic Center2496%
Barbara Bush Primary School33684%
Bowie Primary School31778%
Rowena Johnson Primary School30184%
Sulphur Springs Elementary School62073%
Sulphur Springs High School1,21882%
Sulphur Springs Middle School1,01769%
Travis Primary School27281%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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