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Monday, November 25, 2024

Report: 71% of the 549 students at Max H. Simpson Elementary School not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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Raymond C. Baldwin | seyfarth.com

Raymond C. Baldwin | seyfarth.com

Of the 549 students at Max H. Simpson Elementary School in Waxahachie, 390 (71%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to South 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 Max H. Simpson 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, Max H. Simpson Elementary School's student population was made up of 549 students, of which 102 were White, 29 Hispanic, 15 Multiracial, 12 African American, and eight Asian students.

Data shows that 63% of Max H. Simpson Elementary School 14 Asian students, 53% (15) of its 30 multiracial students, 37% (102) of its 278 white students, 24% (29) of its 122 Hispanic students, and 12% (12) of its 102 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 364 Max H. Simpson Elementary School students - equivalent to 75% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 71%, marking a 4% 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 Max H. Simpson Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanMultiracialAsian1021021761762929939312129090151515158866On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Dunaway Elementary School44675%
Eddie Finley Senior Junior High School81675%
Evelyn Love Coleman Junior High School84575%
Margaret L. Felty Elementary School55775%
Marvin Elementary School28987%
Max H. Simpson Elementary School54971%
Northside Elementary School49779%
Oliver E. Clift Elementary School47682%
Robbie E. Howard Junior High School66374%
Shackelford Elementary School47481%
Waxahachie Global High School39167%
Waxahachie High School2,79583%
Waxahachie High School of Choice2986%
Wedgeworth Elementary School66882%
Wilemon Steam Academy40570%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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