Longview Times

There were 247 African American students enrolled in Tatum ISD schools in the 2021-22 school year, 7.1% less than the previous year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Data showed that Tatum ISD schools welcomed 1,475 students during the 2021-22 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 16.7% of the student body to be one of the most represented ethnicities in the district.

Tatum ISD roughly covers schools within Rusk County and has a main office in Tatum.

Among the four schools in Tatum ISD schools, Tatum High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2021-22 school year, with a total of 99 students.

The Texas education system is currently torn between public schools and taxpayer-funded private schools.

Critics argue that private schools use funds that should go to the public school system, while private school advocates claim they’re offering better education for more Texas students.

Year	Total District Enrollment	Total of African American Students	African American students %
2021-22	1,475	247	16.7
2020-21	1,473	266	18.1
2019-20	1,500	283	18.9