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Thursday, November 21, 2024

2021-22 School Year: 46% of the 643 students at Windsong Intermediate School not on "college track"

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 643 students at Windsong Intermediate School in Friendswood, 296 (46%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to SE Houston 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 Windsong Intermediate 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, Windsong Intermediate School's student population was made up of 643 students, of which 237 were White, 46 Hispanic, 32 Asian, 19 Multiracial, six African American, and two Pacific Islander students.

Data shows that 75% of Windsong Intermediate School three Pacific Islander students, 68% of its 10 African American students, 62% (32) of its 53 Asian students, 57% (237) of its 417 white students, 50% (19) of its 39 multiracial students, and 39% (46) of its 120 Hispanic 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 313 Windsong Intermediate School students - equivalent to 52% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 46%, marking a 6% 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 Windsong Intermediate School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200WhiteHispanicAsianMultiracialAfrican AmericanPacific Islander23723718018046467474323221211919202066442211On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
C. W. Cline Elementary School81154%
Friendswood High School1,98166%
Friendswood Junior High School1,48057%
Windsong Intermediate School64346%
Zue School Bales Intermediate58954%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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