Central Texas News

Of the 531 students at Cypress Springs Elementary School in Dripping Springs, 314 (59%) "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 Cypress Springs 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, Cypress Springs Elementary School's student population was made up of 531 students, of which 174 were White, 15 Multiracial, 14 Hispanic, seven Asian, and six African American students.

Data shows that 58% of Cypress Springs Elementary School 13 Asian students, 50% of its 12 African American students, 50% (15) of its 31 multiracial students, 43% (174) of its 406 white students, and 21% (14) of its 68 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.

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
Cypress Springs Elementary School	531	59%
Dripping Springs Elementary School	882	62%
Dripping Springs High School	2,325	67%
Dripping Springs Middle School	890	65%
Rooster Springs Elementary School	834	59%
Sycamore Springs Elementary School	691	61%
Sycamore Springs Middle School	921	60%
Walnut Springs Elementary School	785	61%

Source: Texas Education Agency.