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Saturday, April 27, 2024

Report: 59% of the 893 students at Veramendi Elementary 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 893 students at Veramendi Elementary School in New Braunfels, 527 (59%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to San Antonio Corridor 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 Veramendi 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, Veramendi Elementary School's student population was made up of 893 students, of which 255 were White, 78 Hispanic, 20 Multiracial, one African American, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 72% (20) of Veramendi Elementary School 29 multiracial students, 49% (255) of its 522 white students, 33% of its three American Indian students, 25% (78) of its 314 Hispanic students, and 8% of its 15 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 550 Veramendi Elementary School students - equivalent to 66% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 59%, marking a 7% 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 Veramendi Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250WhiteHispanicMultiracialAfrican AmericanAmerican Indian25525526726778782362362020991114141122On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Carl Schurz Elementary School35359%
County Line Elementary School38573%
Klein Road Elementary School70776%
Lamar Elementary School36466%
Memorial Elementary School31768%
New Braunfels High School1,94774%
New Braunfels High School Ninth Grade Center74781%
New Braunfels Middle School1,27876%
Oakrun Middle School95269%
Seele Elementary School29661%
The NBISD Learning Center8592%
Veramendi Elementary School89359%
Voss Farms Elementary School73069%
Walnut Springs Elementary School32072%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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