Dallas City Wire

Of the 500 students at Aikin Elementary School in Dallas, 435 (87%) "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 Aikin 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, Aikin Elementary School's student population was made up of 500 students, of which 23 were Hispanic, 21 Asian, 14 African American, and two White students.

Data shows that 25% (21) of Aikin Elementary School 87 Asian students, 11% (23) of its 217 Hispanic students, 9% (14) of its 156 African American students, and 8% of its 27 white 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 563 Aikin 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 87%, marking a 3% 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
Aikin Elementary School	500	87%
Apollo Junior High School	646	79%
Arapaho Classical Magnet	554	57%
Audelia Creek Elementary School	569	96%
Berkner High School	2,393	86%
Big Springs Elementary School	365	72%
Bowie Elementary School	665	55%
Brentfield Elementary School	806	37%
Canyon Creek Elementary School	286	54%
Carolyn G. Bukhair Elementary School	620	90%
Dartmouth Elementary School	344	72%
Dover Elementary School	535	87%
Forest Lane Academy	609	85%
Forest Meadow Junior High School	761	74%
Forestridge Elementary School	551	84%
Greenwood Hills Elementary School	378	84%
Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet	609	73%
Jess Harben Elementary School	388	65%
Lake Highlands Elementary School	703	63%
Lake Highlands High School	2,831	82%
Lake Highlands Junior High School	831	72%
Liberty Junior High School	641	87%
Mark Twain Elementary School	479	83%
Math/Science/Tech Magnet	579	51%
Merriman Park Elementary School	531	65%
Mohawk Elementary School	500	50%
Moss Haven Elementary School	510	54%
Northlake Elementary School	559	78%
Northrich Elementary School	331	81%
Northwood Hills Elementary School	405	77%
O. Henry Elementary School	470	76%
Parkhill Junior High School	657	61%
Pearce High School	2,432	77%
Prairie Creek Elementary School	292	41%
Prestonwood Elementary School	464	64%
RISD Academy	717	93%
Richardson Heights Elementary School	427	73%
Richardson High School	2,788	77%
Richardson North Junior High School	624	67%
Richardson Terrace Elementary School	513	75%
Richardson West Technology and Arts Magnet	745	67%
Richland Elementary School	642	82%
Skyview Elementary School	696	86%
Spring Creek Elementary School	414	57%
Spring Valley Elementary School	400	87%
Springridge Elementary School	306	73%
Stults Road Elementary School	625	86%
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School	538	83%
Wallace Elementary School	584	73%
Westwood Math Science Leadership Magnet	702	67%
White Rock Elementary School	1,013	48%
Yale Elementary School	410	71%

Source: Texas Education Agency.