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2021-22 School Year: 65% of the 835 students at Sam Johnson Elementary School not on "college track"

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By Collin Times | Apr 18, 2024

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Of the 835 students at Sam Johnson Elementary School in Celina, 543 (65%) "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 Sam Johnson 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, Sam Johnson Elementary School's student population was made up of 835 students, of which 178 were White, 39 Asian, 30 Hispanic, 25 African American, and 21 Multiracial students.

Data shows that 53% (39) of Sam Johnson Elementary School 75 Asian students, 36% (25) of its 70 African American students, 35% (178) of its 509 white students, 32% (30) of its 96 Hispanic students, and 26% (21) of its 84 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 509 Sam Johnson Elementary School students - equivalent to 74% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 65%, 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 Sam Johnson Elementary School in 2021-22 School Year

050100150200250300WhiteHispanicMultiracialAsianAfrican American17817833133130306666212163633939363625254545On college trackNot on college track

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

SchoolTotal Students% On College Track
Bill Hays Middle School1,48358%
Chuck and Cindy Stuber Elementary School94662%
Cynthia A. Cockrell Elementary School67865%
Jack and June Furr Elementary School80565%
Jim Spradley Elementary School89647%
Jim and Betty Hughes Elementary School75161%
John A. Baker58968%
Judy Rucker Elementary School69169%
Light Farms Elementary School92871%
Lorene Rogers Middle School1,34859%
Mike and Janie Reeves Elementary School69368%
Mrs. Jerry Bryant Elementary School70169%
Prosper High School3,29667%
R. Steve Folsom Elementary School71271%
Ralph and Mary Lynn Boyer Elementary School85155%
Reynolds Middle School1,00069%
Rock Hill High School2,49769%
Sam Johnson Elementary School83565%
William Rushing Middle School1,20062%
Windsong Ranch Elementary School79658%
Source: Texas Education Agency.

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Organizations in this Story

Texas State Board of EducationSam Johnson Elementary School

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