The document summarizes education data from Central Texas from 2001-2011. It finds that the pre-kindergarten population more than doubled over this period. By 5th grade, achievement gaps between racial/ethnic groups and income levels persist in reading and math, with the largest gaps seen in high achievement levels. Specifically, in 5th grade math, 60% of Hispanic students met the standard compared to 81% of white students. Retention rates are generally low between kindergarten and 5th grade, below 3% on average.

1. 2012 Central Texas Profile
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2. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
YEARS

3. Elementary Schools in Central Texas
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS data at UT Educational Resource Center © E3 Alliance, 2012

4. The Pre-Kindergarten Population More
Than Doubled in The Last Decade
Growth in Kindergarten Population, Central Texas, 2001-11
120%
113%
100%
Percentage of Growth
80%
60%
40% 46% 44%
41% 42% 40%
36%
20%
0%
PK KG 1 2 3 4 5
Grade Level
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of AEIS data, 2001 and 2011 © E3 Alliance, 2012

5. Gaps in Ability Among 3rd Graders
Persist Across Central Texas
3rd Grade Reading TAKS Scores, 3rd Grade Math TAKS Scores,
Central Texas Districts, 2003-11 Central Texas Districts, 2003-11
2500 2500
Average Reading TAKS Score
2450 2450
Average Math TAKS Score
2400 2400
2350 2350
2300 2300
2250 2250
2200 2200
2150 2150
2100 2100
2050 2050
2000 2000
1950 1950
03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Test Year Test Year
Hispanic African American White Low Income Hispanic African American White Low Income
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of TEA district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

6. 3rd Grade TAKS Reveal Gaps are Greatest
at Levels of High Achievement
3rd Grade Reading TAKS Scores, 3rd Grade Math TAKS Scores,
Central Texas Districts, 2011 Central Texas Districts, 2011
100% 100%
Pass and Commended Rates
96% 94% 95%
Pass and Commended Rates
93%
87% 86%
80% 80%
81%
78%
60% 65%
60% 64%
61%
48%
40% 40%
36%
30%
28%
20% 20%
21%
0% 0%
Met Commended Met Commended
Asian African American Hispanic White Asian African American Hispanic White
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of TEA district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

7. Gaps in Ability Among 5th Graders
Persist Across Central Texas
5th Grade Reading TAKS Scores 5th Grade Math TAKS Scores
Central Texas Region, 2003-11 Central Texas Region, 2003-11
2500 2500
Average Reading TAKS Score
2450 2450
Average Math TAKS Score
2400 2400
2350 2350
2300 2300
2250 2250
2200 2200
2150 2150
2100 2100
2050 2050
2000 2000
1950 1950
03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Test Year Test Year
Hispanic African American White Low Income Hispanic African American White Low Income
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of TEA district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

8. By 5th Grade, The Gaps in Math at High
Achievement Levels Are Pronounced
5th Grade Reading TAKS Scores, 5th Grade Math TAKS Scores,
Central Texas Districts, 2011 Central Texas Districts, 2011
100% 100%
Pass and Commended Rates
97% 98% 97% 98%
Pass and Commended Rates
90% 91%
88%
80% 80% 83%
81%
68%
60% 60%
60%
58%
40% 40%
37%
29%
20% 25% 20% 24%
0% 0%
Met Commended Met Commended
Asian African American Hispanic White Asian African American Hispanic White
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of TEA district-level TAKS data © E3 Alliance, 2012

9. Few Students are Retained in Grades 3-5
Percentage of Students Retained Between 2009-10 and 2010-11
3%
Percentage of Retained Students
2.7%
2% 2.2%
1.4%
1%
1.0%
0.6%
0.5%
0%
KG 1 2 3 4 5
Grade Level
3
Source: E3 Alliance analysis of PEIMS 2010 and 2011 enrollment data at UT Educational Resource Center © E Alliance, 2012

10. The conclusions of this research do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official position of the Texas Education Agency,
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or the State of Texas.
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