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2021-22 School Year: 57% of the 786 students at J. W. Williams Middle School not on "college track"

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 786 students at J. W. Williams Middle School in Rockwall, 449 (57%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to East DFW 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 J. W. Williams Middle 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, J. W. Williams Middle School's student population was made up of 786 students, of which 240 were White, 37 Hispanic, 22 Asian, 17 Multiracial, 13 African American, one Pacific Islander, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 69% (22) of J. W. Williams Middle School 33 Asian students, 48% (240) of its 502 white students, 35% (17) of its 50 multiracial students, 33% of its four American Indian students, 33% of its four Pacific Islander students, 28% (37) of its 135 Hispanic students, and 23% (13) of its 58 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 574 J. W. Williams Middle School students - equivalent to 71% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 57%, marking a 14% 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 J. W. Williams Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanMultiracialAsianAmerican IndianPacific Islander2402402622623737989813134545171733332222111111331133On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Amanda Rochell Elementary School46778%
Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School61953%
Billie Stevenson Elementary School70366%
Celia Hays Elementary School48855%
Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary School58571%
Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School54163%
Dorris A. Jones Elementary School58475%
Grace Hartman Elementary School49056%
Herman E. Utley Middle School87261%
Howard Dobbs Elementary School57270%
J. W. Williams Middle School78657%
Linda Lyon Elementary School74857%
Lupe Garcia Elementary School62569%
Maurine Cain Middle School1,10462%
Nebbie Williams Elementary School44141%
Ouida Springer61867%
Rockwall High School2,93368%
Rockwall Quest Academy4085%
Rockwall-Heath High School2,82372%
Sharon Shannon Elementary School58061%
Sherry and Paul Hamm Elementary School56859%
Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School63170%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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