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Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Analysis: 471 of 560 students at Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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Holly A. Marcum | siltrial.com

Holly A. Marcum | siltrial.com

Of the 560 students at Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas in Dallas, 471 (84%) "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 Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas 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, Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas's student population was made up of 560 students, of which 51 were Hispanic, 21 African American, eight Asian, six White, and one Multiracial students.

Data shows that 55% of Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas 15 Asian students, 20% of its 31 white students, 19% of its seven multiracial students, 15% (21) of its 140 African American students, and 14% (51) of its 367 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 500 Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas students - equivalent to 93% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 84%, marking a 9% 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 Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300HispanicAfrican AmericanWhiteAsianMultiracial5151316316212111911966252588771166On college trackNot on college track

Students on College Track by School in Harmony Science Academy (Waco) in 2021-22 School Year

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Harmony School of Excellence - Dallas56084%
Harmony School of Innovation - Carrollton45479%
Harmony School of Innovation - Dallas44275%
Harmony School of Innovation - Fort Worth96671%
Harmony School of Innovation - Garland63075%
Harmony School of Innovation - Grand Prairie45788%
Harmony School of Innovation - Waco58988%
Harmony School of Innovation- Euless65268%
Harmony Science Academy (Waco)54188%
Harmony Science Academy - Carrollton58768%
Harmony Science Academy - Dallas1,12684%
Harmony Science Academy - Euless61271%
Harmony Science Academy - Garland70278%
Harmony Science Academy - Grand Prairie45578%
Harmony Science Academy - Plano48879%
Harmony Science Academy- Fort Worth60577%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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