education - north texas community...

GROWING UP IN NORTH TEXAS 2016: A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOR TARRANT COUNTYGROWING UP IN NORTH TEXAS 2016: A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOR TARRANT COUNTY 11

EDUCATION

GROWING UP IN NORTH TEXAS 2016: A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOR TARRANT COUNTY12

68+32Early Education

EDUCATION

Approximate Number of Children Under Age 5 in Tarrant County (2013)4

142,500COUNT Y COMPAR ISON

PERCENT OF CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACCEPTING SUBSIDIZED CHILDREN THAT HAVE A QUALITY-

CERTIFIED PROGRAM THROUGH TEXAS RISING STAR8

Workforce Solutions Alamo 12%

Workforce Solutions for Greater Dallas 14%

Workforce Solutions Borderplex 17%

Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast 11%

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County 16%

Workforce Solutions Capital Area 14%

Estimated 0-5 Year Olds in Poverty Not Served by an Early

Education Program**Child Care Associates Estimate

25,785

Quality education during a child’s earliest years is essential to their social, emotional, and cognitive development. High quality educational experiences from birth through age 5 increase school readiness, particularly for low income children.1 With half of Tarrant County’s student population identified as economically disadvantaged, quality early education is a crucial area for investment.

A primary source of early education for many children is their child care provider. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) subsidizes child care for low-income families, but those families have limited options for quality child care. To improve access to quality early education for Tarrant County’s most vulnerable children, the number of providers willing to accept subsidized children must increase and the providers already serving subsidized children must pursue quality certification through the Texas Rising Star program.

The children eligible for state-funded Pre-K are often the same children eligible for state-funded child care programs, according to income eligibility requirements.2 Despite this overlap, there is little to no coordination of resources, information, or systems between the state agencies that run these programs. Children from low-income families tend to lag behind their peers developmentally when they start Kindergarten, and research has shown that participation in quality child care and Pre-K programs are especially impactful for these at-risk children.3

Total State Licensed or

Registered Child Care Providers in Tarrant

County, 20156

68%

32%

Do not accept subsidized children

Accept subsidized children

7

Tarrant County Early Education Average Teacher Salaries in 20159

Child Care Teacher $17,632

Elementary School (including Pre-K) Teacher $57,132

Average Number of Children Served Per Day Through Child Care Subsidies in Tarrant

County Workforce Board (2013-2014)5

5,505


64+27+6+2+168+32

EDUCATIONTarrant County Early Education Enrollment

Early Head Start (2014)10

401

Head Start (2014)11

2,014

Public Pre-Kindergarten

(2014-2015)*12

13,798

*Calculation includes all independent school districts that fall either entirely or partially within Tarrant County borders.

Fort Worth ISD Pre-K Student Ethnicity, 201613

64.2%

26.9%

1.3%1.8%

5.8%

Play is at the core of learning. Academics without play produces a fragmented child: one who is disconnected with themselves and others. An unstructured, outside recess environment affords children opportunities to explore on their own terms; terms that are not necessarily limited to the physical world. The Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids Project (LiiNKSM) was created three years ago to build balance between academics and the social-emotional health of children and teachers. LiiNK targets students and prepares teachers and administrators to redesign learning environments by combining three system strategies – recess (unstructured, outdoor play sessions during a school day), character education (Positive Action curriculum), and teacher

training (three full day trainings). Together these strategies combat critical issues affecting development of non-cognitive skills in students. The project focuses on improving academic behaviors, social-emotional skills, and empathy which in turn produces a more equitable school environment, develops students who can problem solve, create, think critically, and behave responsibly, and maximizes teachers’ ability to engage the learners. LiiNK results indicate students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade experience significant improvements in academic achievement, less attentional fatigue, more attentional focus, and show the creation of an environment that is productive for each child to learn.

Dr. Deborah J. Rhea, Texas Christian University LiiNK Founder & Director

• Support a “pipeline” for developing early childhood professionals and strengthening public/private systems of early care and education;

• Develop community supply of quality-rated early learning programs especially for infants and toddlers as well as preschoolers;

• Analyze education data and integrate with community metrics to inform decisions and drive quality improvement;

•Support continuous training and on-the-job coaching for early childhood educators that counts toward degree attainment and improves compensation;

• Help parents foster their children’s development through evidence-based parenting education programs.

INVEST IN WHAT WORKS

AN EXPERT’S PERSPECTIVE

Hispanic

Black

White

Asian

Other


38+36+18+5+3

EDUCATION

Student Ethnicity Tarrant County, 201518

38.6%

17.6%

35.7%

4.6%3.5%

Average Educator Salaries in Tarrant County, 201519

Elementary and Secondary Teacher9 $57,132

Campus Administrator $76,927

District Administrator $106,384

Gold Ribbon Schools in Tarrant County, 201520

M.H. Moore Elementary Fort Worth ISD

Edward Briscoe Elementary Fort Worth ISD

Goodman Elementary Arlington ISD

Cesar Chavez Primary Fort Worth ISD

McRae Elementary Fort Worth ISD


Percent of 3rd Grade Students in Tarrant County* that Passed the 2015 STAAR Reading Exam21


Public SchoolsTarrant County’s student population is extremely diverse, with a majority of Hispanic and Black students. This diversity requires culturally-sensitive strategies to engage students and families. Further, 9 of the 20 independent school districts serving children in Tarrant County have an ethnically diverse population. Those 9 districts also have some of the highest concentrations of economically disadvantaged students and students at risk of dropping out of school.14 The future of nearly half of all students living in Tarrant County is threatened due to the negative impact these factors can have on academic success.

While poverty is a significant indicator of academic success, literacy rates in 3rd grade are also very telling of student achievement, with low rates linked to a higher likelihood of

dropping out of high school.15 Tarrant County matches the state rate of 77% of students passing the STAAR reading exam in 3rd grade. Unfortunately, 3rd graders in the county’s largest districts, Fort Worth ISD and Arlington ISD, have two of the lowest passing rates at 67% and 69% respectively. 16

A standard used to assess school quality is CHILDREN AT RISK’s classification of Gold Ribbon schools—those with high academic performance (receiving at least a B- on CHILDREN AT RISK’s school rankings) and a high economically disadvantaged student population. Tarrant County has 5 Gold Ribbon elementary schools but has no Gold Ribbon middle or high schools.17 This establishes an opportunity for low performing, high-poverty schools across Tarrant County to explore strategies successfully used by Gold Ribbon schools with similar demographics across the state.

Hispanic

White

Black

Asian

Other


EDUCATIONPercent of All Students Who Passed the 2015 STAAR Reading Exam22

39%

18%

36%

5%3%

TexasAledo*

ArlingtonAzle

BirdvilleBurleson*

CarrollCastleberry

CrowleyEagle Mt. Saginaw

EvermanFort Worth

Godley*Grapevine ColleyvilleHurst Euless Bedford

KellerKennedale

Lake WorthMansfield

Northwest*White Settlement

80%94%73%83%81%84%98%69%71%80%75%67%83%90%88%89%82%70%85%87%79%

*Portion of ISD is in Tarrant County

*Calculation includes all independent school districts that fall either entirely or partially within Tarrant County borders.** Economically disadvantaged as defined by TEA is the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch or other public assistance.

of Students in Tarrant County* are Economically

Disadvantaged, 201523

1009080706050403010 200

of Fort Worth ISD Students Did Not

Pass the 2015 STAAR Reading Exam22

33%


EDUCATION

The fundamental purpose of a public school system is to prepare students for high school graduation, as well as college or workforce entry. CHILDREN AT RISK calculates graduation rates using a more conservative method than the Texas Education Agency.27 Arlington ISD and Fort Worth ISD – serving over one-third of Tarrant County’s students – fall near the bottom with graduation rates of 77.8% and 73.1% respectively.28

Students are considered college and career ready when they attain the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed to succeed in credit-bearing postsecondary coursework or a workforce training program aligned to career goals and offering a competitive salary. Tarrant County educators and employers have expressed serious concern that too many high school graduates arrive unprepared for the studies and employment

opportunities that await them. A critical opportunity exists for philanthropists, businesses, parents, school leaders, policymakers, and the community to commit to a County-wide effort to reconnect youth with educational opportunity and help them attain future and lifelong success.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tracks the number of graduating students who enrolled in a Texas public or private 2-year or 4-year program the following fall. This calculation does not capture Texas graduates who attend college out-of-state. It also misses students who enroll in higher education 6 or more months after high school graduation and the small portion of students who have non-standard ID numbers. Despite these limitations, it is helpful in determining the trajectory for the vast majority of Texas graduates.

High School Graduation and College Readiness

Students at Risk of Dropping Out Meet One or More of the Following Criteria26

Did not advance from one grade level to the next

Did not maintain an average equivalent to 70 in two or more subjects in the foundation curriculum

Did not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument or readiness test

Is pregnant or a parent

Has been placed in an alternative education program

Has been expelled

Is currently on parole, probation, deferred prosecution, or other conditional release

Was previously reported to have dropped out of school

Is a student of limited English proficiency

Is in the custody or care of the Department of Family and Protective Services

Is homeless

Is residing in a residential placement facility

Percent of Students in Tarrant County* are Identified as At-Risk of Dropping Out of School24 51%


Students Identified as At-Risk of Dropping Out of School in Texas’ Largest Districts, 201525

1000 20 40 60 80

Houston ISD (Harris County) 71.6%

Dallas ISD (Dallas County) 68.4%

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Harris County)

45.8%

Northside ISD (Bexar County)

40.1%

Austin ISD (Travis County) 52.6%

Fort Worth ISD (Tarrant County)

71.5%


COUNT Y COMPAR ISON

CHILDREN AT RISK GRADUATION RATES FOR THE STATE’S LARGEST DISTRICTS, 201530

Northside ISD (Bexar County) 85.1%

Dallas ISD (Dallas County) 74.1%

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Harris County) 85.2%

Houston ISD (Harris County) 76.3%

Fort Worth ISD (Tarrant County) 73.1%

Austin ISD (Travis County) 78.2%

*Calculation includes all independent school districts that fall either entirely or partially within Tarrant County borders. However, due to the feeder school pattern and the methodology of C@R rankings, Carroll ISD was not analyzed for this year.

Districts with the Highest Graduation Rates Districts with the Lowest Graduation RatesAledo ISD – 94.5 % Castleberry ISD – 80.0%

Grapevine Colleyville ISD – 91.3% Arlington ISD – 77.8%

Godley ISD – 89.0% Everman ISD – 74.2%

Keller ISD – 86.9% Fort Worth ISD – 73.1%

White Settlement ISD – 86.7% Lake Worth ISD – 71.6%

81% – CHILDREN AT RISK Graduation Rate in Tarrant County*(Class of 2014)29

EDUCATION

Districts with the High-est Enrollment Rates

Districts with the Low-est Enrollment Rates

Aledo ISD – 61.0 % White Settlement ISD - 44.9%

Mansfield ISD – 59.4% Fort Worth ISD - 44.6%

Kennedale ISD – 59.2% Lake Worth ISD - 42.3%

Keller ISD – 55.2% Azle ISD - 41.6%

Burleson ISD – 54.9% Castelberry ISD - 41.2%

51 % – Tarrant County High School Graduates FY 2014 Enrolled in Texas Public or Private 2-or 4-Year Higher Education in Fall 201431


EDUCATION

Fort Worth ISD is on a path to systemic change, transforming the way students engage and are encouraged to learn through programs and strong leadership in the district and local community. By 2020, our nation will experience a shortage of engineers and scientists; Tarrant County faces the same challenge with a strong aerospace industry and a boominghealthcare system. Lockheed Martin pledged to match $1 million toProject Lead the Way to provide Fort Worth ISD schoolswith the training and course materials necessary toimplement high-quality STEM education programs. In addition to innovative programs, parents play an important role in their children’s education. Through Fort Worth ISD’s Family Academy parents can attend free classes in English and Spanish on a variety of topics such

as improving communication skills and how to balance work-family life. Community members also have a stake in the success of our schools. We recruit volunteers to work with children, campus leaders, and district administration. Fort Worth ISD encourages community members to lean forward and ask, “How can I help?” The Board of Education is united for the educational success of all our students; under the new leadership of Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner, we will continue to move in ways that support the development and education of our students. Tarrant County and Fort Worth ISD have vibrant futures. Continue to look for new programs, parent and community engagement, and committed education leaders working together to mold the future leaders of our community.

Jacinto Ramos, Jr., Fort Worth ISD School Board President

• Pre-K - 3 education with strong teachers, literacy development, and a dual language approach;

• Encourage effective teaching with thorough, fair evaluations, and professional development supports;

• Support strong school leaders and enhance/develop talent pipelines;

• Ensure progress among students most at risk by investing in bold innovation, research & development, and breakthrough concepts;

• Develop a college and career culture in K-12 schools and among families, especially minority and at risk families;

• Provide middle and high school students with evidence based college readiness coaching/interventions to lead to high school completion and college retention;

• Build a coalition of community stakeholders to ensure student learning reflects the needs of the marketplace and to support a targeted challenge;

• Provide middle school, high school, and college coaching and interventions among at risk students for executing evidence-based approaches to high school completion and college retention.

INVEST IN WHAT WORKS

AN EXPERT’S PERSPECTIVE

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