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Saturday, May 4, 2024

2021-22 School Year: 78% of the 297 students at Zavala Elementary 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 297 students at Zavala Elementary School in Harlingen, 232 (78%) "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 Zavala Elementary 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, Zavala Elementary School's student population was made up of 297 students, of which 66 were Hispanic students.

Data shows that 23% (66) of Zavala Elementary School 287 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 282 Zavala Elementary School students - equivalent to 90% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 78%, marking a 12% 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 Zavala Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200HispanicAfrican American66662212210033On college trackNot on college track

Students on College Track by School in Harlingen CISD in 2021-22 School Year

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Austin Elementary School32880%
Ben Milam Elementary School40988%
Bonham Elementary School56175%
Bowie Elementary School31971%
Coakley Middle School69584%
Crockett Elementary School29484%
Dishman Elementary School34687%
Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy1,05589%
Dr. Hesiquio Rodriguez Elementary School61975%
Gutierrez Middle School83483%
Harlingen Collegiate High School33373%
Harlingen High School1,99588%
Harlingen High School - South1,57884%
Harlingen School of Health Professions35964%
Houston Elementary School44888%
Jefferson Elementary School25790%
Lamar Elementary School45186%
Lee High Means Elementary School74967%
Long Elementary School54680%
Memorial Middle School79180%
Moises Vela Middle School76377%
Secondary Alter Center79100%
Stuart Place Elementary School64875%
Travis Elementary School29081%
Treasure Hills Elementary School81779%
Vernon Middle School74479%
Wilson Elementary School40382%
Zavala Elementary School29778%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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