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Sunday, April 28, 2024

Analysis: 392 of 567 students at Nelson 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 567 students at Nelson Elementary School in Denton, 392 (69%) "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 Nelson 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, Nelson Elementary School's student population was made up of 567 students, of which 98 were White, 37 Hispanic, 13 African American, 11 Asian, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 50% of Nelson Elementary School two American Indian students, 47% (11) of its 25 Asian students, 37% (98) of its 265 white students, 25% (13) of its 53 African American students, and 20% (37) of its 187 Hispanic 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 464 Nelson Elementary School students - equivalent to 81% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 69%, marking a 12% 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 Nelson Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanAsianAmerican Indian9898167167373715015013134040111114141111On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Alice Moore Alexander59790%
Bettye Myers Middle School83184%
Blanton Elementary School49357%
Borman Elementary School43686%
Calhoun Middle School69084%
Catherine Bell Elementary School70485%
Cross Oaks Elementary School71583%
Crownover Middle School81169%
Denton High School1,91685%
Dorothy P. Adkins Elementary School42765%
Ep Rayzor Elementary School30657%
Evers Park Elementary School62878%
Fred Moore High School5689%
Ginnings Elementary School65085%
Guyer High School2,61470%
Harpool Middle School86855%
Hawk Elementary School59760%
Hodge Elementary School65081%
Houston Elementary School52563%
McMath Middle School80082%
McNair Elementary School53367%
Navo Middle School1,04383%
Nelson Elementary School56769%
Nette Shultz64064%
Newton Rayzor Elementary School63081%
Paloma Creek Elementary School67588%
Pecan Creek Elementary School66273%
Providence Elementary School65484%
Ray Braswell High School2,69686%
Rivera Elementary School61884%
Rodriguez Middle School97482%
Ryan Elementary School55068%
Ryan High School2,21087%
Savannah Elementary School77078%
Stephens Elementary School42979%
Strickland Middle School94979%
The Lagrone Academy19876%
Union Park Elementary School94780%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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