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West DFW News

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Ikard Elementary School: 83% of the 598 students 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 598 students at Ikard Elementary School in Weatherford, 497 (83%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to West DFW 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 Ikard 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, Ikard Elementary School's student population was made up of 598 students, of which 66 were White, 28 Hispanic, three African American, and one Multiracial students.

Data shows that 24% (66) of Ikard Elementary School 277 white students, 18% of its 20 African American students, 11% (28) of its 263 Hispanic students, and 5% of its 29 multiracial 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 479 Ikard Elementary School students - equivalent to 83% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This continued with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 83%.

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 Ikard Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200WhiteHispanicMultiracialAfrican American66662112112828235235112828331717On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Austin Elementary School50371%
Crockett Elementary School42882%
Curtis Elementary School59774%
Hall Middle School98175%
Ikard Elementary School59883%
Martin Elementary School51672%
Seguin Elementary School54176%
Tison Middle School91278%
Weatherford High School2,43885%
Wright Elementary School49179%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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