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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Report: 75% of the 402 students at Spring Early College Academy 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 402 students at Spring Early College Academy in Houston, 302 (75%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to NW Houston 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 Spring Early College Academy 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, Spring Early College Academy's student population was made up of 402 students, of which 47 were Hispanic, 26 African American, 14 White, and 11 Asian students.

Data shows that 44% (14) of Spring Early College Academy 34 white students, 43% (11) of its 27 Asian students, 23% (47) of its 206 Hispanic students, and 21% (26) of its 128 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 335 Spring Early College Academy students - equivalent to 78% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 75%, 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 Spring Early College Academy in 2021-22 School Year

050100150HispanicAfrican AmericanWhiteAsian474715915926261021021414202011111616On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Anderson Elementary School48281%
Andy Dekaney High School2,21495%
Bammel Elementary School74788%
Bammel Middle School84693%
Beneke Elementary School63881%
Carl Wunsche Senior High School1,45278%
Carolee Booker Elementary School70983%
Chet Burchett Elementary School69779%
Clark Intermediate School59793%
Deloras E. Thompson Elementary School58081%
Donna Lewis Elementary School66480%
Dueitt Middle School85791%
Edward Roberson Middle School80361%
Edwin M. Wells Middle School92590%
Ginger McNabb Elementary School67669%
Gloria Marshall Elementary School87786%
Helen Major Elementary School51589%
Heritage Elementary School62683%
Hoyland Elementary School69284%
Joan Link Elementary School52288%
John Winship Elementary School45779%
Meyer Elementary School62586%
Mildred Jenkins Elementary School58685%
Milton Cooper Elementary School66580%
Northgate Elementary School73380%
Pat Reynolds Elementary School79385%
Pearl M. Hirsch Elementary School64284%
Ponderosa Elementary School77480%
Ralph Eickenroht Elementary School55086%
Rickey C. Bailey Middle School96989%
Salyers Elementary School66490%
Smith Elementary School54483%
Spring Early College Academy40275%
Spring High School2,83294%
Spring Leadership Academy36887%
Springwoods Village Middle School49987%
Stelle Claughton Middle School93392%
The School for International Studies at Bammel8078%
Twin Creeks Middle School95887%
Westfield High School2,71594%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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