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Thursday, October 31, 2024

Report: 57% of the 1,480 students at Pieper Ranch Middle School not on "college track" in 2021-22 school year

Commissioner of education mike morath 2023

TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education

TX Commissioner of Education Mike Morath 2023 | State Board for Education

Of the 1,480 students at Pieper Ranch Middle School in New Braunfels, 844 (57%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to North San Antonio News' 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 Pieper Ranch 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, Pieper Ranch Middle School's student population was made up of 1,480 students, of which 323 were White, 236 Hispanic, 28 Multiracial, 18 Asian, 15 African American, two Pacific Islander, and two American Indian students.

Data shows that 55% (18) of Pieper Ranch Middle School 33 Asian students, 50% of its five American Indian students, 47% (323) of its 689 white students, 40% (28) of its 72 multiracial students, 38% (236) of its 622 Hispanic students, 33% of its seven Pacific Islander students, and 30% (15) of its 52 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 966 Pieper Ranch Middle School students - equivalent to 67% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 57%, marking a 10% 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 Pieper Ranch Middle School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300350WhiteHispanicMultiracialAfrican AmericanAsianPacific IslanderAmerican Indian32332336636623623638638628284444151537371818151522552233On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Arlon R. Seay Elementary School42054%
Bill Brown Elementary School84755%
Canyon High School2,33775%
Canyon Lake High School1,08975%
Canyon Middle School1,10774%
Church Hill Middle School77260%
Clear Spring Elementary School79168%
Comal Academy4996%
Danville Middle School95468%
Davenport High School99679%
Freiheit Elementary School81576%
Garden Ridge Elementary School83356%
Goodwin Frazier Elementary School63963%
Hill Country College Prep High School12757%
Hoffmann Lane Elementary School75238%
Indian Springs Elementary School75755%
Johnson Ranch Elementary School81255%
Kinder Ranch Elementary School57262%
Memorial Early College High School with St. Philip's36055%
Mh Specht Elementary School76559%
Morningside Elementary School75676%
Mt. Valley Elementary School45163%
Mt. Valley Middle School84163%
Oak Creek Elementary School71462%
Pieper High School87572%
Pieper Ranch Middle School1,48057%
Rahe Bulverde Elementary School45846%
Rebecca Creek Elementary School56757%
Smithson Valley High School2,58262%
Smithson Valley Middle School86754%
Spring Branch Middle School58658%
Startzville Elementary School42772%
Timberwood Park Elementary School75049%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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