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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Bens Branch Elementary School: 65% of the 660 students 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 660 students at Bens Branch Elementary School in Porter, 429 (65%) "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 Bens Branch 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, Bens Branch Elementary School's student population was made up of 660 students, of which 124 were White, 76 Hispanic, 16 Asian, nine Multiracial, and three African American students.

Data shows that 56% (16) of Bens Branch Elementary School 29 Asian students, 44% (124) of its 282 white students, 43% of its 21 multiracial students, 26% (76) of its 295 Hispanic students, and 13% of its 30 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 479 Bens Branch Elementary School students - equivalent to 75% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 65%, marking a 10% 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 Bens Branch Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200HispanicWhiteAfrican AmericanAsianMultiracial767621921912412415815833272716161313991212On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Bens Branch Elementary School66065%
Brookwood Forest Elementary School83686%
Dogwood Elementary School70586%
Infinity Early College High School39568%
Keefer Crossing Middle School1,11383%
Kings Manor Elementary School76573%
New Caney Elementary School61180%
New Caney High School2,24587%
Oakley Elementary School77788%
Pine Valley Middle School88582%
Porter Elementary School70082%
Porter High School2,33585%
Robert Crippen Elementary School70786%
Sorters Mill Elementary School67376%
Tavola Elementary School74384%
Valley Ranch Elementary School81081%
White Oak Middle School83280%
Woodridge Forest Middle School1,21377%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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