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Dallas City Wire

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Analysis: 346 of 531 students at Merriman Park 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 531 students at Merriman Park Elementary School in Dallas, 346 (65%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Dallas City Wire's 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 Merriman Park 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, Merriman Park Elementary School's student population was made up of 531 students, of which 122 were White, 28 African American, 20 Hispanic, 10 Multiracial, and seven Asian students.

Data shows that 70% of Merriman Park Elementary School 11 Asian students, 69% (10) of its 15 multiracial students, 49% (122) of its 251 white students, 22% (20) of its 93 Hispanic students, and 18% (28) of its 160 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 333 Merriman Park Elementary School students - equivalent to 64% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 65%, marking a 1% increase 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 Merriman Park Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100WhiteAfrican AmericanHispanicMultiracialAsian1221221291292828132132202073731010557744On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Aikin Elementary School50087%
Apollo Junior High School64679%
Arapaho Classical Magnet55457%
Audelia Creek Elementary School56996%
Berkner High School2,39386%
Big Springs Elementary School36572%
Bowie Elementary School66555%
Brentfield Elementary School80637%
Canyon Creek Elementary School28654%
Carolyn G. Bukhair Elementary School62090%
Dartmouth Elementary School34472%
Dover Elementary School53587%
Forest Lane Academy60985%
Forest Meadow Junior High School76174%
Forestridge Elementary School55184%
Greenwood Hills Elementary School37884%
Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet60973%
Jess Harben Elementary School38865%
Lake Highlands Elementary School70363%
Lake Highlands High School2,83182%
Lake Highlands Junior High School83172%
Liberty Junior High School64187%
Mark Twain Elementary School47983%
Math/Science/Tech Magnet57951%
Merriman Park Elementary School53165%
Mohawk Elementary School50050%
Moss Haven Elementary School51054%
Northlake Elementary School55978%
Northrich Elementary School33181%
Northwood Hills Elementary School40577%
O. Henry Elementary School47076%
Parkhill Junior High School65761%
Pearce High School2,43277%
Prairie Creek Elementary School29241%
Prestonwood Elementary School46464%
RISD Academy71793%
Richardson Heights Elementary School42773%
Richardson High School2,78877%
Richardson North Junior High School62467%
Richardson Terrace Elementary School51375%
Richardson West Technology and Arts Magnet74567%
Richland Elementary School64282%
Skyview Elementary School69686%
Spring Creek Elementary School41457%
Spring Valley Elementary School40087%
Springridge Elementary School30673%
Stults Road Elementary School62586%
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School53883%
Wallace Elementary School58473%
Westwood Math Science Leadership Magnet70267%
White Rock Elementary School1,01348%
Yale Elementary School41071%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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