Ft Worth Times

Of the 883 students at Uplift Ascend in Dallas, 760 (86%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Ft Worth 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 Uplift Ascend 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, Uplift Ascend's student population was made up of 883 students, of which 58 were Hispanic, 46 African American, six Multiracial, and six White students.

Data shows that 23% of Uplift Ascend 30 white students, 23% of its 27 multiracial students, 14% (46) of its 335 African American students, and 12% (58) of its 487 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 684 Uplift Ascend students - equivalent to 93% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 86%, marking a 7% 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
Uplift Ascend	883	86%
Uplift Ascend Middle School	617	86%
Uplift Atlas Preparatory - High School	495	91%
Uplift Atlas Preparatory - Middle School	425	85%
Uplift Atlas Preparatory - Primary School	660	88%
Uplift Crescendo Preparatory Primary School	398	81%
Uplift Educatiion-North Hills Prep Primary School	563	50%
Uplift Education - Infinity Preparatory Middle School	345	81%
Uplift Education - Infinity Preparatory Primary School	513	79%
Uplift Education - Uplift Grand Preparatory	737	80%
Uplift Education-North Hills Prep High School	494	53%
Uplift Education-North Hills Prep Middle School	484	42%
Uplift Elevate Preparatory Middle School	269	79%
Uplift Elevate Preparatory School	521	89%
Uplift Gradus Preparatory	550	80%
Uplift Grand High School	366	92%
Uplift Grand Secondary	517	85%
Uplift Hampton Preparatory High School	357	91%
Uplift Hampton Preparatory Middle School	455	88%
Uplift Hampton Preparatory Primary School	585	84%
Uplift Heights Preparatory High School	547	94%
Uplift Heights Preparatory Middle School	525	90%
Uplift Heights Preparatory Primary School	956	85%
Uplift Infinity High School	346	87%
Uplift Luna Preparatory High School	546	83%
Uplift Luna Preparatory Primary School	456	84%
Uplift Luna Secondary School	527	85%
Uplift Meridian School	522	92%
Uplift Mighty High School	418	96%
Uplift Mighty Middle School	549	92%
Uplift Mighty School	580	88%
Uplift Pinnacle Preparatory Primary School	378	90%
Uplift Summit International High School	464	88%
Uplift Summit International Middle School	516	84%
Uplift Summit International Primary School	657	79%
Uplift Triumph Preparatory School	478	84%
Uplift White Rock Hills Prep	636	82%
Uplift Williams Preparatory High School	577	89%
Uplift Williams Preparatory Middle School	518	76%
Uplift Williams Preparatory Primary School	583	84%
Uplift Wisdom Secondary	397	88%
Wisdom High School	291	93%
Wisdom Primary School	482	82%

Source: Texas Education Agency.