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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School: 84% of the 701 students 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 701 students at Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School in Penitas, 589 (84%) "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 Dr. Javier Saenz 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, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School's student population was made up of 701 students, of which 112 were Hispanic students.

Data shows that 16% (112) of Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School 701 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 749 Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School students - equivalent to 94% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 84%, marking a 10% 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 Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

0100200300400500Hispanic112112589589On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Ann Richards Middle School72374%
Cesar Chavez Middle School72878%
Corina Pena Elementary School48183%
Diaz-Villarreal Elementary School42282%
Domingo Trevino Middle School62481%
Dr. Americo Paredes Elementary School35478%
Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School70184%
Dr. Maria Palmira Mendiola Elementary School51583%
E. B. Reyna Elementary School44658%
Eligio Kika De La Garza Elementary School26968%
Elodia R. Chapa Elementary School41384%
Emiliano Zapata Elementary School48979%
Enrique Kiki Camarena Elementary School52471%
Evangelina Garza Elementary School47388%
Guillermo Flores Elementary School38881%
Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School43481%
Irene M. Garcia Middle School65376%
Jimmy Carter Early College High School35881%
John F. Kennedy Elementary School65074%
Jose De Escandon Elementary School57176%
Juan De Dios Salinas Middle School73584%
Juan Seguin Elementary School50488%
Juarez-Lincoln High School2,06891%
La Joya High School2,81190%
La Joya Palmview High School2,16391%
Leo Junior Leo Elementary School31582%
Lloyd M. Bentsen Elementary School53269%
Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School60280%
Memorial Middle School68571%
Narciso Cavazos40673%
Patricio Perez Elementary School42381%
Rosendo Benavides Elementary School28088%
Sam Fordyce Elementary School33776%
Tabasco Elementary School52177%
Thelma Rosa Salinas STEM Early College High School45672%
William Junior Clinton Elementary School53680%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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