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Sunday, May 5, 2024

Analysis: 203 of 302 students at Dekalb 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 302 students at Dekalb Elementary School in Dekalb, 203 (67%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Upper East 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 Dekalb 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, Dekalb Elementary School's student population was made up of 302 students, of which 76 were White, nine Hispanic, eight Multiracial, and seven African American students.

Data shows that 41% (76) of Dekalb Elementary School 187 white students, 38% of its 22 multiracial students, 25% of its 39 Hispanic students, and 14% of its 51 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 237 Dekalb Elementary School students - equivalent to 82% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 67%, 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 Dekalb Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100WhiteAfrican AmericanHispanicMultiracial7676111111774444993030881414On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Dekalb Elementary School30267%
Dekalb High School25386%
Dekalb Middle School22878%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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