How Far Will Your Child Get in Life? Depends on What City District They Live In, Report Shows
San Antonio Students’ STAAR Test Results Reveal Citywide Performance Gaps
In a powerful new report, City Education Partners has provided an insightful look at how students across San Antonio, Texas, are performing in their academics. The focus of the report is the academic performance of students in different schools, organized according to their respective city council district.
Dalia Flores Contreras, CEO of the City Education Partners, reminded that in the San Antonio area, there are more than seventeen school districts and over twelve charter schools. The organization is committed to ensuring every student across every district in San Antonio has access to a high-quality education.
Data Reveals Performance Gaps
The primary data analyzed in the report resulted from the STAAR math and reading tests, aimed at providing a citywide view of academic performance. Contreras said, “It was a way for us to see how the city is doing. Are there discrepancies or gaps between how some council districts are performing versus others? And what can we do about it, given how crucial education is for the future of our children’s lives?”
The data shows that only 46% of 3rd to 8th-grade students in the city are reading at or above grade level, while in math, only 31% of students are performing at grade level. The report also reveals a teacher shortage of 71% citywide and a worrying 25% chronic student absenteeism rate.
Economic Disparities Reflected in Education
Unfortunately, the report also highlights economic disparities reflected in academic performance. The lowest-performing schools were found in districts 2, 3, 4, and 5, where less than 40% of students showed proficiency in reading. The highest-performing schools, meanwhile, were identified in districts 8, 9, and 10.
Contreras empathized with the evident lack of fair opportunities for all children. However, she also spotted an opportunity to study and replicate the success strategies of schools that are thriving despite their challenging socio-economic conditions.
More Than Just Numbers
Contreras emphasized that the data points reflected in the report represent individual children. She urged families to download the report and see the performance of their schools and districts. “These aren’t just numbers on a paper. Every single data point in that dataset represents children in our city walking into schools today, excited about their future, and the data will determine what doors open and close for them,” she said.
Through the data presented in this report, it’s clear that the district that a child resides in, and therefore the school they attend, has a significant impact on their academic performance and future prospects. This report serves as a crucial tool for parents, educators, and policymakers alike in understanding these disparities and working towards more equitable educational opportunities in the city.
