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Thursday, November 21, 2024

La Mesa Elementary School: 74% of the 444 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 444 students at La Mesa Elementary School in Plainview, 329 (74%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to West 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 La Mesa 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, La Mesa Elementary School's student population was made up of 444 students, of which 56 were White, 50 Hispanic, and two African American students.

Data shows that 41% (56) of La Mesa Elementary School 138 white students, 20% of its 13 African American students, and 18% (50) of its 278 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 367 La Mesa Elementary School students - equivalent to 76% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 74%, marking a 2% 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 La Mesa Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200HispanicWhiteAfrican American505022822856568282221111On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
College Hill Elementary31089%
Coronado Middle School58283%
Edgemere Elementary School33785%
Estacado Middle School53488%
Hale County JJAEP20100%
Highland Elementary School33289%
Hillcrest Elementary School26587%
La Mesa Elementary School44474%
Plainview High School1,48684%
Thunderbird Elementary School40083%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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