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Tyler Reporter

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Report: 81% of the 535 students at Bell 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 535 students at Bell Elementary School in Tyler, 434 (81%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Tyler Reporter's 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 Bell 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, Bell Elementary School's student population was made up of 535 students, of which 53 were Hispanic, 26 White, 19 African American, two Multiracial, and two Asian students.

Data shows that 67% of Bell Elementary School four Asian students, 40% (26) of its 65 white students, 18% (53) of its 296 Hispanic students, 13% (19) of its 149 African American students, and 11% of its 20 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 397 Bell Elementary School students - equivalent to 80% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 81%, marking a 1% increase 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 Bell Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200HispanicAfrican AmericanWhiteMultiracialAsian53532432431919130130262639392218182222On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Alvin V. Anderson Rise Academy9097%
Bell Elementary School53581%
Birdwell School44161%
Bonner Elementary School42683%
Boulter Middle School83789%
Caldwell Arts Academy57761%
Clarkston Elementary School39280%
Dixie Elementary School57684%
Douglas Elementary School59479%
Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School72163%
Griffin Elementary School65582%
Hogg Middle School27585%
Hubbard Middle School73971%
Jones Elementary School35281%
Moore Mst Magnet School1,08075%
Orr Elementary School69785%
Owens Elementary School67561%
Peete Elementary School41791%
Ramey Elementary School54788%
Rice Elementary School63571%
T. J. Austin Elementary School33289%
Three Lakes Middle School84279%
Tyler High School2,12690%
Tyler ISD Early College High School37267%
Tyler Legacy High School2,48681%
Woods Elementary School70769%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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