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Sunday, November 24, 2024

2021-22 School Year: 83% of the 914 students at Jackson Middle School not on "college track"

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Daniela Abadi | willkie.com

Daniela Abadi | willkie.com

Of the 914 students at Jackson Middle School in Forney, 759 (83%) "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 Jackson 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, Jackson Middle School's student population was made up of 914 students, of which 58 were White, 44 Hispanic, 38 African American, 10 Asian, and seven Multiracial students.

Data shows that 37% (10) of Jackson Middle School 28 Asian students, 28% (58) of its 208 white students, 23% of its 32 multiracial students, 14% (44) of its 317 Hispanic students, and 12% (38) of its 323 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.

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 Jackson Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250African AmericanHispanicWhiteMultiracialAsianAmerican Indian383828528544442732735858150150772525101018180044On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Blackburn Elementary School60076%
Brown Middle School58382%
Claybon Elementary School51462%
Criswell Elementary School75471%
Crosby Elementary School68186%
Forney High School2,00882%
Griffin Elementary School80281%
Henderson Elementary School76065%
Jackson Middle School91483%
Johnson Elementary School61157%
Lewis Elementary School74980%
North Forney High School2,29185%
Rhea Intermediate School76269%
Rhodes Intermediate School90582%
Smith Intermediate School52181%
Warren Middle School85968%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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