East RGV News

Of the 332 students at Downs Fine Arts Academy in San Benito, 256 (77%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to East 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 Downs Fine Arts Academy 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, Downs Fine Arts Academy's student population was made up of 332 students, of which 77 were Hispanic students.

Data shows that 24% (77) of Downs Fine Arts Academy 322 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 308 Downs Fine Arts Academy students - equivalent to 88% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 77%, marking an 11% 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.

School	Total Students	% On College Track
Angela Gerusa Leal Elementary School	367	86%
Berta Cabaza Middle School	813	82%
Cameron County JJAEP	16	100%
Cash Elementary School	600	69%
Downs Fine Arts Academy	332	77%
Fred Booth	438	89%
Gateway to Graduation Academy	80	99%
Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary School	268	84%
La Encantada Elementary School	453	74%
La Paloma Elementary School	422	81%
Miller Jordan Middle School	699	87%
Rangerville Elementary School	221	85%
Raul Garza Junior Steam Academy	449	74%
Roberts Elementary School	286	96%
San Benito High School	2,053	90%
San Benito Riverside Middle School	571	84%
San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy	727	92%
Sullivan Environmental Science Academy	354	83%

Source: Texas Education Agency.