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Waco Reporter

Monday, November 18, 2024

Report: 89% of the 1,671 students at University High 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 1,671 students at University High School in Waco, 1,488 (89%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Waco Reporter's 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 University High 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, University High School's student population was made up of 1,671 students, of which 137 were Hispanic, 21 African American, 15 White, and one Multiracial students.

Data shows that 18% (15) of University High School 85 white students, 11% (137) of its 1,254 Hispanic students, 10% of its 18 multiracial students, and 7% (21) of its 309 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 1,565 University High School students - equivalent to 89% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This continued with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 89%.

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 University High School in 2021-22 School Year

05001,000HispanicAfrican AmericanWhiteMultiracial1371371,1171,117212128828815157070111717On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Alta Vista Elementary School50492%
Bell's Hill Elementary School75781%
Bill Logue Detention Center17100%
Brazos High School10599%
Brook Avenue Elementary School36493%
Cedar Ridge Elementary School48692%
Cesar Chavez Middle School87690%
Challenge Academy2194%
Crestview Elementary School44887%
Dean Highland Elementary School66290%
G. L. Wiley Opportunity Center107100%
G. W. Carver Middle School44493%
Hillcrest Pds Magnet43980%
Indian Spring Middle School51393%
Junior High Hines Elementary School41196%
Kendrick Elementary School47191%
Lake Air Montessori School71782%
Mountainview Elementary School38890%
Parkdale Elementary School58888%
Provident Heights Elementary School37191%
South Waco Elementary School48094%
Tennyson Middle School95881%
University High School1,67189%
Waco High School1,96490%
West Avenue Elementary School30490%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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