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Monday, May 6, 2024

Analysis: 304 of 515 students at Steam Middle 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 515 students at Steam Middle School in Burleson, 304 (59%) "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 Steam 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, Steam Middle School's student population was made up of 515 students, of which 160 were White, 28 Hispanic, seven African American, six Multiracial, five Asian, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 46% of Steam Middle School 12 Asian students, 43% of its 18 African American students, 42% (160) of its 382 white students, 37% of its 17 multiracial students, 35% (28) of its 82 Hispanic students, and 17% of its four American Indian 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 423 Steam Middle 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 59%, marking a 16% 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 Steam Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanMultiracialAsianAmerican Indian1601602222222828545477111166111155771133On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Academy at Nola Dunn65666%
Ann Brock Elementary at Oak Grove63679%
Burleson Centennial High School2,06382%
Burleson Collegiate High School21362%
Burleson High School1,73280%
Crossroads High School7597%
Frazier Elementary School57073%
Game Development Design School at Burleson ISD31372%
Hughes Middle School1,05982%
Irene Clinkscale Elementary School55365%
Jack Taylor Elementary School49680%
Judy Hajek Elementary School55567%
Mound Elementary School41566%
Nick Kerr Middle School1,24776%
Norwood Elementary School53875%
Richard Bransom Elementary School57474%
Steam Middle School51559%
William Stribling Elementary School48264%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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