TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education
Primary data on overall student readiness in Rita Smith 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, Rita Smith Elementary School's student population was made up of 479 students, of which 159 were White, 34 African American, 31 Asian, 24 Hispanic, and 11 Multiracial students.
Data shows that 62% (159) of Rita Smith Elementary School 258 white students, 60% (31) of its 53 Asian students, 50% (34) of its 69 African American students, 43% (11) of its 27 multiracial students, and 36% (24) of its 69 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 297 Rita Smith 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 46%, marking an 18% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ab Harrison Intermediate School | 1,006 | 61% |
| Achieve Academy | 130 | 83% |
| Cheri Cox Elementary School | 602 | 48% |
| Davis Intermediate School | 826 | 60% |
| Dodd Elementary School | 591 | 52% |
| Don Whitt Elementary School | 722 | 39% |
| Dr. Al Draper Intermed | 932 | 56% |
| Frank McMillan Junior High School | 890 | 55% |
| George W. Bush Elementary School | 809 | 53% |
| Grady Burnett Junior High School | 968 | 58% |
| P. M. Akin Elementary School | 553 | 56% |
| R. F. Hartman Elementary School | 548 | 53% |
| R. V. Groves Elementary School | 652 | 55% |
| Raymond B. Cooper Junior High School | 989 | 51% |
| Rita Smith Elementary School | 479 | 46% |
| T. F. Birmingham Elementary School | 549 | 54% |
| Tibbals Elementary School | 607 | 41% |
| Wally Watkins Elementary School | 864 | 49% |
| Wylie East High School | 2,443 | 65% |
| Wylie High School | 2,994 | 55% |
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