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Report: 75% of the 655 students at Lowe Elementary School not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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By Collin Times | Feb 21, 2024

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

Of the 655 students at Lowe Elementary School in Princeton, 492 (75%) "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 Lowe 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, Lowe Elementary School's student population was made up of 655 students, of which 73 were White, 33 Hispanic, 29 African American, 19 Asian, and 11 Multiracial students.

Data shows that 60% (19) of Lowe Elementary School 33 Asian students, 33% (73) of its 222 white students, 27% (29) of its 110 African American students, 26% (11) of its 45 multiracial students, and 14% (33) of its 240 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 399 Lowe Elementary School students - equivalent to 81% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 75%, marking a 6% 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 Lowe Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200HispanicWhiteAfrican AmericanMultiracialAsian33332072077373149149292981811111343419191414On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Clark Middle School58072%
Godwin Elementary School55479%
Harper Elementary School57870%
Lacy Elementary School61874%
Lovelady High School53373%
Lowe Elementary School65575%
Princeton High School1,34982%
Smith Elementary School67867%
Southard Middle School93264%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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Texas State Executive - State Board of EducationLowe Elementary

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