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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Analysis: 58 of 175 students at Stafford STEM Magnet Academy not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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Franco Acchiardo | clydeco.com

Franco Acchiardo | clydeco.com

Of the 175 students at Stafford STEM Magnet Academy in Stafford, 58 (33%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to SW 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 Stafford STEM Magnet 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, Stafford STEM Magnet Academy's student population was made up of 175 students, of which 67 were Asian, 24 African American, 11 Hispanic, six Multiracial, and five White students.

Data shows that 88% (67) of Stafford STEM Magnet Academy 77 Asian students, 79% of its eight multiracial students, 54% of its 11 white students, 47% (24) of its 53 African American students, and 46% (11) of its 26 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.

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 Stafford STEM Magnet Academy in 2021-22 School Year

0102030405060AsianAfrican AmericanHispanicWhiteMultiracial67671010242429291111151555666622On college trackNot on college track

Students on College Track by School in Stafford MSD in 2021-22 School Year

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Stafford Elementary School1,06786%
Stafford High School1,04489%
Stafford Middle School77583%
Stafford STEM Magnet Academy17533%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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