Central Texas News

Of the 864 students at Bastrop Middle School in Bastrop, 709 (82%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to Central Texas 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 Bastrop 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, Bastrop Middle School's student population was made up of 864 students, of which 74 were Hispanic, 67 White, seven Multiracial, four Asian, and one African American students.

Data shows that 61% of Bastrop Middle School seven Asian students, 26% (67) of its 260 white students, 26% of its 27 multiracial students, 14% (74) of its 533 Hispanic students, and 5% of its 36 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 756 Bastrop Middle School students - equivalent to 88% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 82%, 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
Bastrop High School	1,556	88%
Bastrop Intermediate School	781	84%
Bastrop Middle School	864	82%
Bluebonnet Elementary School	742	87%
Cedar Creek Elementary School	951	93%
Cedar Creek High School	1,886	92%
Cedar Creek Intermediate School	943	91%
Cedar Creek Middle School	1,038	89%
Colorado River Collegiate Academy	241	58%
Emile Elementary School	779	79%
Genesis High School	122	99%
Lost Pines Elementary School	636	87%
Mina Elementary School	742	72%
Red Rock Elementary School	666	89%

Source: Texas Education Agency.