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Monday, May 20, 2024

Report: 83% of the 2,175 students at McAllen 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 2,175 students at McAllen High School in Mcallen, 1,806 (83%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to West RGV 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 McAllen 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, McAllen High School's student population was made up of 2,175 students, of which 319 were Hispanic, 35 White, six Asian, four Multiracial, and one African American students.

Data shows that 29% of McAllen High School 22 Asian students, 27% (35) of its 131 white students, 27% of its 15 multiracial students, 16% (319) of its 1,996 Hispanic students, and 8% of its nine 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 1,775 McAllen High School students - equivalent to 80% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 83%, marking a 3% increase 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 McAllen High School in 2021-22 School Year

05001,0001,500HispanicWhiteAsianMultiracialAfrican American3193191,6771,677353596966616164411111188On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Achieve Early College High School40154%
Alvarez Elementary School41582%
Blanca E. Sanchez48764%
Brown Middle School57881%
Castaneda Elementary School49170%
Cathey Middle School84963%
De Leon Middle School81777%
Dr. Pablo Perez53163%
Escandon Elementary School50779%
Fields Elementary School47579%
Garza Elementary School45768%
Gonzalez Elementary School78148%
Houston Elementary School41777%
Instr/Guid Center35100%
Jackson Elementary School51477%
Lamar Academy7687%
Lucile Hendricks Elementary School38368%
McAllen High School2,17583%
McAuliffe Elementary School40276%
Memorial High School2,11280%
Michael E. Fossum Middle School82965%
Milam Elementary School78155%
Morris Middle School1,01058%
Rayburn Elementary School48261%
Roosevelt Elementary School42481%
Rowe High School1,93082%
Seguin Elementary School56482%
Thigpen-Zavala Elementary School46971%
Travis Middle School49382%
Wilson Elementary School39781%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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