El Paso Standard

Of the 1,013 students at Cactus Trails in El Paso, 699 (69%) "weren't on the academic track to qualify for college in the 2021-22 school year, according to El Paso Standard's 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 Cactus Trails 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, Cactus Trails's student population was made up of 1,013 students, of which 234 were Hispanic, 52 White, 14 African American, five Multiracial, and one Pacific Islander students.

Data shows that 41% (52) of Cactus Trails 128 white students, 40% of its three Pacific Islander students, 36% (14) of its 41 African American students, 29% (234) of its 810 Hispanic students, and 21% of its 24 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 830 Cactus Trails students - equivalent to 82% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2021-22, where the percentage stood at 69%, marking a 13% 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
Americas High School	2,449	84%
Benito Martinez Elementary School	572	74%
Bill Sybert School	777	75%
Cactus Trails	1,013	69%
Campestre Elementary School	463	82%
Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School	975	83%
Chester E. Jordan	876	81%
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School	1,213	70%
Desert Wind Elementary School	835	85%
Dr. Sue A. Shook School	1,273	76%
Eastlake High School	2,671	84%
Elementary Dorado High School	2,259	84%
Elfida Chavez Elementary School	737	84%
Ernesto Serna School	677	81%
Escontrias Elementary School	448	83%
H. D. Hilley Elementary School	541	83%
Helen Ball Elementary School	647	77%
Horizon Heights Elementary School	960	72%
Hueco Elementary School	492	83%
Hurshel Antwine Middle School	788	84%
James P. Butler Elementary School	947	78%
Jane A. Hambric School	934	79%
John Drugan School	1,134	69%
Loma Verde	833	71%
Lujan-Chavez Elementary School	958	71%
Mission Early College High School	454	77%
Mission Ridge	956	84%
Montwood High School	2,567	82%
Montwood Middle School	689	81%
Myrtle Cooper Elementary School	620	78%
O'Shea Keleher Elementary School	657	74%
Options High School	70	93%
Paso Del Norte Elementary School	806	81%
Pebble Hills High School	2,742	84%
Purple Heart Elementary School	962	86%
Robert R. Rojas Elementary School	502	81%
Salvador Sanchez Middle School	644	82%
Sgt Roberto Ituarte	764	71%
Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Elementary School	946	74%
Sierra Vista Elementary School	758	82%
Socorro High School	2,456	91%
Socorro Middle School	537	84%
Spec Rafael Hernando Middle School	821	73%
Staff Sergeant Manuel R. Puentes	1,022	80%
Sun Ridge Middle School	988	77%
Vista Del Sol Elementary School	534	79%
William D. Slider Middle School	710	77%

Source: Texas Education Agency.