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Analysis: 342 of 711 students at Kerr Elementary School not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

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By Collin Times | Jul 27, 2024

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

Of the 711 students at Kerr Elementary School in Allen, 342 (48%) "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 Kerr 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, Kerr Elementary School's student population was made up of 711 students, of which 207 were Asian, 110 White, 18 Hispanic, 15 African American, and 11 Multiracial students.

Data shows that 71% (207) of Kerr Elementary School 292 Asian students, 49% (110) of its 226 white students, 27% (18) of its 70 Hispanic students, 25% (11) of its 45 multiracial students, and 20% (15) of its 76 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 392 Kerr Elementary School students - equivalent to 57% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 48%, 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 Kerr Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200AsianWhiteAfrican AmericanHispanicMultiracial2072078585110110116116151561611818525211113434On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Allen High School5,31560%
Alton Boyd Elementary School55384%
Alvis C. Story Elementary School45375%
Beverly Cheatham Elementary School74748%
Bolin Elementary School53357%
Carlena Chandler Elementary School58362%
D. L. Rountree Elementary School44189%
David and Lynda Olson Elementary School53762%
Dr. E. T. Boon Elementary School77045%
Ereckson Middle School1,25642%
Flossie Floyd Green Elementary School57462%
Frances E. Norton Elementary School67252%
Gene M. Reed Elementary School47168%
George Junior Anderson Elementary School39768%
James and Margie Marion Elementary School54964%
Jenny Preston Elementary School61350%
Kerr Elementary School71148%
Lois Lindsey Elementary School84253%
Lowery Freshman Center1,78461%
Mary Evans Elementary School73238%
Max O. Vaughan Elementary School69647%
W. E. Pete Ford Middle School84758%
Walter & Lois Curtis Middle School1,34351%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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Texas State Executive - State Board of EducationKerr Elementary

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