Tyler Reporter

There were 256 African American students enrolled in Rusk ISD schools in the 2021-22 school year, 1.6% more than the previous year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Data showed that Rusk ISD schools welcomed 2,001 students during the 2021-22 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 12.8% of the student body to be one of the most represented ethnicities in the district.

Rusk ISD roughly covers schools within Cherokee County and has a main office in Rusk.

Among the five schools in Rusk ISD schools, Rusk High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2021-22 school year, with a total of 87 students.

Education in Texas is often a hot button issue, especially as test scores lag behind other states.

"The problems commonly cited are flaws in the school financing system, relatively low teacher salary, poor test performance by students... dropouts from traditional schools in favor of charter schools... gun violence, and mental health issues," claimed the Texas Almanac.

Year	Total District Enrollment	Total of African American Students	African American students %
2021-22	2,001	256	12.8
2020-21	1,969	252	12.8
2019-20	2,036	267	13.1