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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

William Rushing Middle School: 62% of the 1,200 students not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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Holly A. Marcum | siltrial.com

Holly A. Marcum | siltrial.com

Of the 1,200 students at William Rushing Middle School in Prosper, 744 (62%) "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 William Rushing 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, William Rushing Middle School's student population was made up of 1,200 students, of which 212 were White, 108 Asian, 62 Hispanic, 35 African American, 33 Multiracial, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 57% (108) of William Rushing Middle School 190 Asian students, 38% of its three American Indian students, 37% (212) of its 575 white students, 36% (33) of its 93 multiracial students, 34% (62) of its 185 Hispanic students, and 23% (35) of its 153 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 668 William Rushing Middle School students - equivalent to 69% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 62%, marking a 7% 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 William Rushing Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300350WhiteAsianHispanicAfrican AmericanMultiracialAmerican Indian212212363363108108828262621231233535118118333360601122On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Bill Hays Middle School1,48358%
Chuck and Cindy Stuber Elementary School94662%
Cynthia A. Cockrell Elementary School67865%
Jack and June Furr Elementary School80565%
Jim Spradley Elementary School89647%
Jim and Betty Hughes Elementary School75161%
John A. Baker58968%
Judy Rucker Elementary School69169%
Light Farms Elementary School92871%
Lorene Rogers Middle School1,34859%
Mike and Janie Reeves Elementary School69368%
Mrs. Jerry Bryant Elementary School70169%
Prosper High School3,29667%
R. Steve Folsom Elementary School71271%
Ralph and Mary Lynn Boyer Elementary School85155%
Reynolds Middle School1,00069%
Rock Hill High School2,49769%
Sam Johnson Elementary School83565%
William Rushing Middle School1,20062%
Windsong Ranch Elementary School79658%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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