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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Grand Oaks Elementary School: 59% of the 863 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 863 students at Grand Oaks Elementary School in Tomball, 510 (59%) "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 Grand Oaks 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, Grand Oaks Elementary School's student population was made up of 863 students, of which 215 were White, 68 Hispanic, 44 Asian, 18 African American, and 10 Multiracial students.

Data shows that 55% (44) of Grand Oaks Elementary School 80 Asian students, 51% (215) of its 422 white students, 33% (18) of its 57 African American students, 27% (68) of its 253 Hispanic students, and 23% (10) of its 45 multiracial 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 429 Grand Oaks Elementary School students - equivalent to 74% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 59%, marking a 15% 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 Grand Oaks Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200WhiteHispanicAsianAfrican AmericanMultiracial2152152072076868185185444436361818393910103535On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Canyon Pointe Elementary School78653%
Creekside Forest Elementary School56825%
Creekside Park Junior High School1,07647%
Creekview Elementary School1,01446%
Decker Prairie Elementary School72375%
Grand Lakes Junior High School93659%
Grand Oaks Elementary School86359%
Lakewood Elementary School80860%
Northpointe Intermediate School73556%
Oakcrest Intermediate School76157%
Rosehill Elementary School65069%
Timber Creek Elementary School72744%
Tomball Elementary School79768%
Tomball High School2,55869%
Tomball Intermediate School89069%
Tomball Junior High School79968%
Tomball Memorial High School2,75260%
Tomball Star Academy35245%
Wildwood Elementary School83050%
Willow Creek Elementary School73047%
Willow Wood Junior High School82950%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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