The ability to read, comprehend, research and think critically about potential biases and agendas in information helps readers make informed decisions about that which is important to them. As it relates to education, sound information is critical. I recently read an opinion article in the Terrell Tribune titled, “Public Education is Flourishing in Terrell.” The author’s opinion article serves as a great example of the importance of promoting literacy, critical thinking and research skills as goals for lifelong learning. The author’s opinion contradicts district, state and national data requiring a closer look at the topic and evaluation of available information.
The author of the article declared education is not failing in Terrell. The author’s daughters attend school in Terrell and find it “rewarding and enriching.” The author heralded Terrell’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program where students can earn credit towards college, participate in internships and get technical hands-on experience working with local “industry partners.”
The author shared success stories of former students who currently work in Terrell on the school board, as teachers, a mayor, a judge and a congressman. Of course, there was the unnamed reference to Jamie Foxx, who hailed from Terrell to become an Oscar-winning actor. The cases shared by the author are excellent examples of successes among Terrell ISD alumni and are worthy of recognition and revere.
However, a review of data provided on the Terrell ISD website shows an alarming degree of failure that persists within the district, despite the aforementioned wins just celebrated. The 2018- 19 Texas Academic Performance Report provides a detailed breakdown of student achievement within Terrell ISD. The Texas Education Agency’s 2019 Education Determination Status for Terrell ISD is Needs Intervention. In 2019, only 36% of Terrell ISD students read at grade level or better. Statewide student performance was not much better at 48%.
Math performances in Terrell were equally dismal with only 40% of students performing at grade level or better. Statewide performance was 52%. In Science, only 43% of Terrell ISD students performed at grade level or better. Across the state, 54% of students performed at grade level or better.
These performance scores reveal failure, not flourish. It’s comforting to think academic failure is not a problem at home, but this failure is nationwide and applies specifically to Terrell ISD as the data indicates. The 2020 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) scores reveals that only 35% of America’s 4th, 8th and 12th grade students are performing on grade level in reading, math and science. These are nationwide scores that include all demographics and were collected prior to COVID-19. Academic failure in America’s public schools is a persistent, nationwide problem.
The very literacy that is missing in Terrell ISD and nationwide is the same literacy that can help individuals determine the validity of the information presented to them. Let’s continue to celebrate the wins we can pull out of a failing system, but let’s not suggest the system is anything other than what it is. Failing.
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