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Amarillo Gazette

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Analysis: 688 of 1,041 students at Westover Park Junior 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 1,041 students at Westover Park Junior High School in Amarillo, 688 (66%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Amarillo Gazette'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 Westover Park Junior 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, Westover Park Junior High School's student population was made up of 1,041 students, of which 224 were White, 95 Hispanic, 16 Asian, 11 African American, eight Multiracial, two American Indian, and one Pacific Islander students.

Data shows that 68% (16) of Westover Park Junior High School 24 Asian students, 37% (224) of its 607 white students, 37% of its 24 multiracial students, 33% of its seven American Indian students, 30% of its three Pacific Islander students, 29% (95) of its 330 Hispanic students, and 25% (11) of its 46 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 752 Westover Park Junior High School students - equivalent to 74% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 66%, marking an 8% 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 Westover Park Junior High School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300350WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanAsianMultiracialAmerican IndianPacific Islander22422438338395952352351111353516168888161622551122On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Arden Road Elementary School45356%
Canyon High School1,16873%
Canyon Intermediate School53057%
Canyon Junior High School66163%
City View Elementary School58467%
Crestview Elementary School46658%
Gene Howe Elementary School36271%
Greenways Intermediate School57464%
Heritage Hills Elementary School33172%
Hillside Elementary School33559%
Lakeview Elementary School35974%
Midway Alternative High School5891%
Pinnacle Intermediate School56172%
Randall High School1,78780%
Reeves-Hinger Elementary School63363%
Spring Canyon Elementary School37068%
Sundown Lane Elementary School33573%
Westover Park Junior High School1,04166%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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