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Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Analysis: 372 of 546 students at Henderson Junior High 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 546 students at Henderson Junior High School in Stephenville, 372 (68%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to WC 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 Henderson Junior High 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, Henderson Junior High School's student population was made up of 546 students, of which 128 were White, 33 Hispanic, six Multiracial, two Asian, one African American, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 67% of Henderson Junior High School two American Indian students, 53% of its 13 multiracial students, 40% (128) of its 322 white students, 35% of its six Asian students, 23% of its eight African American students, and 17% (33) of its 195 Hispanic 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 Henderson Junior High School students - equivalent to 77% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 68%, marking a 9% 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 Henderson Junior High School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150WhiteHispanicMultiracialAfrican AmericanAsianAmerican Indian12812819419433331621626677117722441111On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Gilbert Intermediate School53972%
Henderson Junior High School54668%
Hook Elementary School54059%
Stephenville High School1,08177%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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