South Brazoria News

Of the 608 students at Bob and Betty Nelson Elementary School in Alvin, 487 (80%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to South Brazoria 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 Bob and Betty Nelson 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, Bob and Betty Nelson Elementary School's student population was made up of 608 students, of which 83 were White, 26 Hispanic, seven Asian, seven Multiracial, and one African American students.

Data shows that 28% (83) of Bob and Betty Nelson Elementary School 298 white students, 28% of its 27 multiracial students, 15% of its 49 Asian students, 12% (26) of its 218 Hispanic students, and 7% of its 16 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 545 Bob and Betty Nelson Elementary School students - equivalent to 87% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 80%, 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
Alvin Elementary School	651	85%
Alvin High School	2,821	84%
Alvin Junior High School	935	81%
Bel Nafegar Sanchez Elementary School	717	77%
Bill Hasse Elementary School	632	79%
Bob and Betty Nelson Elementary School	608	80%
Don Jeter Elementary School	814	82%
Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School	1,015	61%
E. C. Mason Elementary School	699	74%
Fairview Junior High School	951	83%
G. W. Harby Junior High School	527	78%
Glenn York Elementary School	814	47%
Hood-Case Elementary School	681	82%
Jackie Doucet Caffey Junior High School	731	81%
Laura Ingalls Wilder	657	57%
Manvel High School	2,915	85%
Manvel Junior High School	906	71%
Mark Twain Elementary School	690	83%
Mary Burks Marek Elementary School	698	57%
Melba Passmore Elementary School	594	74%
Meridiana Elementary School	801	74%
Nolan Ryan Junior High School	854	68%
Pomona Elementary School	773	67%
Red Duke Elementary School	608	64%
Rise	96	71%
Rodeo Palms Junior High School	818	78%
Savannah Lakes Elementary School	755	74%
Shadow Creek High School	2,561	73%
Shirley Dill Brothers Elementary School	729	51%
Walt Disney Elementary School	420	74%

Source: Texas Education Agency.