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SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Tim @BrynnPark on 11/16/2025, 9:43 am
Board Administrator

Hey all,
Every year someone comes out with a spreadsheet with the Open Class SMBC participants and their % of kids that economically disadvantaged (aka on free or reduced lunch). I went ahead and made a graph of this, which you can see HERE.

If you think something is off, please email at tim@brynnpark.com. Otherwise, FLAME ON!

Tim

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Son of John on 11/17/2025, 11:10 am, in reply to "SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

Another data point that would be interesting to see is school enrollment. Especially the most recent snapshot numbers. How many Div 1 vs Div 2 schools represented. If you look at 5A alone, at least 4 of the finalists submitted above 2274 which was the 6A cutoff in 2023.

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Reading Numbers on 11/17/2025, 10:58 am, in reply to "SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

Remember this is the EcoDis for the school, not necessarily the band program. The larger programs tend to have less EcoDis in their programs compared to their school. Smaller schools are probably more accurate since they have a smaller pool of students.

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Charlie on 11/16/2025, 8:07 pm, in reply to "SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

Just looking at 6A because that's the level I'm familiar with.
If you look at the graph, the schools with a higher percentage tend to finish lower in the rankings.
How do schools like North Shore and Hanna consistently get their schools to the state level?
I think their accomplishments are a little more impressive because of the adversity they face.
I've talked to many directors in Deep South Texas. For many of them - no techs, part time guard instructor, no private lessons, and little to no band fees. Those teaching staffs are working miracles.

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by HoustonCCCBD on 12/10/2025, 6:32 pm, in reply to "Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

I know some of the schools down South have large a large staff. Much larger then the other areas of the state. I learned this when there was a clinic by the Roma staff a while back at TBA. I wonder if that is still the case.

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Well on 11/17/2025, 8:19 am, in reply to "Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

As someone who used to work in that region:
WE were the private lesson staff. I taught the lessons and sectionals for every band including the middle school. I helped students get into ms region bands and HS all state bands. Those students worked hard because that expectation was set from the beginning from the staff that they would eventually be under at the HS.
And students never complained about what we were doing or why. Sure, there problem kids, or some who didnt pull their weight, but they didnt get in the way of everyone elses learning.
I miss having students like that. There is definitely more to it than that, and some of the schools on the far west/east are able to get some private instruction from universities, but the staff is all on the same page at most of those schools. I miss that too.

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Former Region 15 Director on 11/23/2025, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

I have a legitimate question that is sure to stir the hornet’s nest. Should a school from say Area G 6A, even bother with area or state marching contest? Why not buy a stock show, save the money, and put what is left towards clinicians, master classes, or limited lessons from retired directors in the area? Area G schools will never have the pockets to hang in with Flower Mound, Hebron, and Vandegrift. I posit putting the money towards improving individual student outcomes, like the all state process, where students could potentially receive a scholarship offer. It has not felt like TMEA and UIL even want certain schools appearing at state level events as evidenced by apportionment and area realignment. So quit feeding a system that you have no chance to compete in, and appears to not even want you represented in the first place. For the record, I believe the students and directors from area G schools work very hard and produce great results. This is not a slight to them by any means. They are merely an example of a group of schools that I feel does not gain from a system that seems designed to exclude them. Flame away!!!

Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged

Posted by Well on 12/5/2025, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Re: SMBC by % economically disadvantaged"

I think the movement to Area every year, and now State every year only exacerbates that situation. Our program does just fine, we will never get to state for many reasons: but mainly our community does not care about this competitive culture. They want a big band every friday night and for their kids to be in as many activities as possible. That's perfectly fine, but now we do this trip to area every year where we know we will be near the bottom. Its a huge waste of funds.
I know there have been "famous" HBDs on here in past who say "well no one is forcing you to go. Why should WE be punished?"
I am good at selling kids on most anything. But it's really hard to say "great job, but we're gonna pass on area." So we are kind of forced into it. And honestly, we dont need 38 bands, to find the top 6. It's a money maker for UIL and its frustrating.

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