North Texas News

Of the 800 students at McMath Middle School in Denton, 656 (82%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to North 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 McMath 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, McMath Middle School's student population was made up of 800 students, of which 89 were White, 32 Hispanic, 12 Asian, 10 African American, and one Pacific Islander students.

Data shows that 52% (12) of McMath Middle School 24 Asian students, 26% (89) of its 346 white students, 13% of its two Pacific Islander students, 11% (32) of its 293 Hispanic students, and 9% (10) of its 115 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 700 McMath Middle School students - equivalent to 87% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 82%, marking a 5% 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.

School	Total Students	% On College Track
Alice Moore Alexander	597	90%
Bettye Myers Middle School	831	84%
Blanton Elementary School	493	57%
Borman Elementary School	436	86%
Calhoun Middle School	690	84%
Catherine Bell Elementary School	704	85%
Cross Oaks Elementary School	715	83%
Crownover Middle School	811	69%
Denton High School	1,916	85%
Dorothy P. Adkins Elementary School	427	65%
Ep Rayzor Elementary School	306	57%
Evers Park Elementary School	628	78%
Fred Moore High School	56	89%
Ginnings Elementary School	650	85%
Guyer High School	2,614	70%
Harpool Middle School	868	55%
Hawk Elementary School	597	60%
Hodge Elementary School	650	81%
Houston Elementary School	525	63%
McMath Middle School	800	82%
McNair Elementary School	533	67%
Navo Middle School	1,043	83%
Nelson Elementary School	567	69%
Nette Shultz	640	64%
Newton Rayzor Elementary School	630	81%
Paloma Creek Elementary School	675	88%
Pecan Creek Elementary School	662	73%
Providence Elementary School	654	84%
Ray Braswell High School	2,696	86%
Rivera Elementary School	618	84%
Rodriguez Middle School	974	82%
Ryan Elementary School	550	68%
Ryan High School	2,210	87%
Savannah Elementary School	770	78%
Stephens Elementary School	429	79%
Strickland Middle School	949	79%
The Lagrone Academy	198	76%
Union Park Elementary School	947	80%

Source: Texas Education Agency.