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Dowell Middle School: 61% of the 1,067 students not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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By Collin Times | May 9, 2024

Commissioner of education mike morath 2023
TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education

Of the 1,067 students at Dowell Middle School in Mckinney, 651 (61%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Collin Times' 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 Dowell Middle 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, Dowell Middle School's student population was made up of 1,067 students, of which 263 were White, 72 Hispanic, 37 Asian, 26 African American, 14 Multiracial, and one American Indian students.

Data shows that 70% (37) of Dowell Middle School 54 Asian students, 46% (263) of its 572 white students, 41% (14) of its 35 multiracial students, 25% (72) of its 288 Hispanic students, 25% of its two American Indian students, and 23% (26) of its 115 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 699 Dowell Middle School students - equivalent to 63% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 61%, marking a 2% 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 Dowell Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300WhiteHispanicAfrican AmericanAsianMultiracialAmerican Indian26326330930972722162162626898937371717141421211111On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Albert & Iola Lee Davis Malvern Elementary School41989%
Arthur High McNeil Elementary School38175%
Burks Elementary School33285%
C. T. Eddins Elementary School35849%
Caldwell Elementary School45572%
Dean and Mildred Bennett Elementary School55959%
Dowell Middle School1,06761%
Dr. Jack Cockrill Middle School1,30358%
Earl & Lottie Wolford Elementary School39558%
Faubion Middle School1,31063%
Finch Elementary School33382%
Gary and Bobbye Jack Minshew Elementary School52267%
Glen Oaks Elementary School49349%
J. B. Wilmeth Elementary School54859%
Jesse McGowen Elementary School56871%
Jose De Jesus and Maria Luisa Vega Elementary School41375%
Leonard Evans Junior Middle School89265%
Lizzie Nell Cundiff McClure Elementary School63270%
McKinney Boyd High School2,71767%
McKinney High School2,95675%
McKinney North High School2,13270%
Naomi Press Elementary School77077%
Reuben Johnson Elementary School40768%
Roy Lee Walker Elementary School44957%
Scott Morgan Johnson Middle School91870%
Slaughter Elementary School58772%
Valley Creek Elementary School45352%
Webb Elementary School34385%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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Texas State Executive - State Board of EducationDowell Middle

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