Ft Worth Times

Of the 1,121 students at Gene Pike Middle School in Justin, 808 (72%) "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 Gene Pike 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, Gene Pike Middle School's student population was made up of 1,121 students, of which 212 were White, 60 Hispanic, 21 African American, 11 Asian, three Pacific Islander, two Multiracial, and two American Indian students.

Data shows that 41% of Gene Pike Middle School eight Pacific Islander students, 35% of its eight American Indian students, 35% (11) of its 33 Asian students, 33% (212) of its 644 white students, 20% (21) of its 109 African American students, 20% (60) of its 300 Hispanic students, and 15% of its 19 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 826 Gene Pike Middle School students - equivalent to 78% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 72%, marking a 6% 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
Berkshire Elementary School	601	74%
Byron Nelson High School	2,733	69%
Carl E. Schluter Elementary School	681	63%
Chisholm Trail Middle School	597	82%
Clara Love Elementary School	640	82%
Gene Pike Middle School	1,121	72%
Haslet Elementary School	772	74%
J. C. Thompson Elementary School	788	81%
James M. Steele High School	236	57%
John M. Tidwell Middle School	1,069	66%
Junior Lyndal Hughes Elementary School	674	73%
Justin Elementary School	591	72%
Kay Granger Elementary School	725	61%
Lakeview Elementary School	563	41%
Lance Thompson Elementary School	664	63%
Leo Adams Middle School	1,337	73%
Lizzie Curtis Elementary School	604	73%
Medlin Middle School	994	53%
Northwest High School	2,171	81%
O. A. Peterson	671	77%
Prairie View Elementary School	593	84%
Roanoke Elementary School	650	66%
Samuel Beck Elementary School	759	48%
Sendera Ranch Elementary School	579	76%
Seven Hills Elementary School	603	83%
Sonny & Allegra Nance Elementary School	522	71%
Truett Wilson Middle School	1,298	75%
V. R. Eaton High School	2,985	78%
W. R. Hatfield Elementary School	515	72%
Wayne A. Cox Elementary School	740	55%

Source: Texas Education Agency.