For children in McLennan County, the school district they attend and how well-off its students are affect their chances of graduating from high school and college, a new analysis of state data suggests.
State data obtained by the Texas Tribune tracks the long-term education outcomes of eighth-grade students enrolled in public schools during the 2012-2013 school year. The students were followed over 11 years to see whether they had graduated from high school and attended or graduated college.
In Greater Waco and across Texas, their educational attainment as adults largely corresponds with the rate of economically disadvantaged students in their school districts.
Those who attended the suburban Midway, Robinson and China Spring school districts in 2012-13 were about twice as likely to graduate from college as their peers in lower-income districts such as Waco, Connally and La Vega, a Texas Tribune data tool shows.
Those latter schools had 79% or more economically disadvantaged populations, and in each, less than a quarter of students received a college degree or credential, the data shows.
The Texas Education Agency is in the process of taking over Connally Independent School District after five consecutive years of failed accountability scores. Waco ISD has a year to turn around struggling South Waco Elementary School or face a similar fate.
In an email to The Waco Bridge on Thursday, Connally ISD spokesperson Michael Donaldson pointed to the challenges of educating lower-income students.
“School districts with higher numbers of students who are economically disadvantaged face higher rates of food insecurity and lack of access to healthcare, which can lead to chronic absenteeism,” he said.
“These data also indicate higher rates of mobility in student populations, which can lead to additional instances of learning loss. It can be difficult for students in these situations to make consistent academic gains, and districts faced with these challenges must dedicate additional resources to help make education as accessible and beneficial as possible.”
Some 55% of the Connally ISD students tracked in the long-term study enrolled in a two- or four-year college, but only 21% of the population earned a college degree.
Connally ISD has responded to its academic struggles by adopting state-recommended instructional materials. It also offers full-day Pre-K and offers dual credit opportunities.
“We place a large emphasis on counseling and social work, providing resources such as food, clothing, and after school care, and providing points of contact that our families can use to ensure that their needs are met,” Donaldson said.
Meanwhile, Waco ISD launched a strategic plan in the fall to improve student performance. The district has funded “wraparound services” to improve the physical and emotional well-being of students. It has expanded opportunities to advanced placement courses and career and technical education. In addition, it has implemented data-driven math and literacy programs to increase academic growth.
Last year, Waco ISD had 800 students graduate, with a graduation rate of about 82.3%.
“To us, these aren’t just statistics; behind every number is a unique story of perseverance and potential,” Waco ISD spokesperson Jill Anderson, said in an email Thursday to the Bridge. “We firmly believe that education is the ultimate equalizer. Each and every day in Waco ISD we are taking steps, big and small, to level the playing field, ensuring that a student’s background never defines their destination.”
La Vega ISD has also implemented full-day prekindergarten and dual language programs for elementary students. It also offers an early college high school partnership with McLennan Community College and a partnership with Texas State Technical College to offer pathways in technology.
Economically disadvantaged students tend to face obstacles to education such as needing to work to support their families, said La Vega spokesperson Allison Vrana in an email to the Bridge this week.
“At times students find that the immediate pressing needs of the family like food, shelter and medicine become their focus,” Vrana said. “With only so many hours in a day, students face the tough choice of help now or focus on something that will be powerful in the future.”
Meanwhile, the data show that area districts with fewer low-income students consistently have higher graduation rates and college enrollment. About 40% of students in Midway, Robinson and China Spring school districts received a college degree or credential. At Lorena ISD, nearly half of students received a college degree or credential.
