South DFW News

Of the 1,036 students at Walnut Grove Middle School in Midlothian, 746 (72%) "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 Walnut Grove 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, Walnut Grove Middle School's student population was made up of 1,036 students, of which 198 were White, 55 Hispanic, 17 African American, 14 Multiracial, and one Asian students.

Data shows that 32% (198) of Walnut Grove Middle School 621 white students, 26% (14) of its 54 multiracial students, 23% (55) of its 241 Hispanic students, 17% of its seven Asian students, and 16% (17) of its 112 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 735 Walnut Grove Middle School students - equivalent to 72% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This continued with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 72%.

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.

School	Total Students	% On College Track
Dolores McClatchey Elementary School	682	61%
Earl & Marthalu Dieterich Middle School	818	72%
Frank Seale Middle School	709	82%
Irvin Elementary School	690	68%
J. A. Vitovsky Elementary School	685	80%
Larue Miller Elementary School	692	65%
Longbranch Elementary School	590	55%
Midlothian Heritage High School	1,153	77%
Midlothian High School	2,112	81%
Mt. Peak Elementary School	650	67%
T. E. Baxter Elementary School	573	70%
Walnut Grove Middle School	1,036	72%

Source: Texas Education Agency.