Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

First, teachers reviewed the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills[4] (state-mandated curriculum) to determine the objectives to assess on each grade level.

Then educators determined how the objectives could be best assessed and developed guidelines outlining eligible test content and test-item formats.

[7] The science, social studies, math, and reading tests (before grade 9) consist of multiple-choice questions scored by computer.

[8] The essay and short answer portions found in grade 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11 are scored by graders in Dallas, Austin, and Albuquerque.

[13] Texas high school seniors cannot graduate unless they pass exit-level TAKS tests in English language arts, social studies, math, and science.

[14] Students new to Texas public education who enroll after January 1 of the school year in which they are otherwise eligible to graduate may use scores from the SAT or ACT to replace the ELA and Math TAKS.

[15] In 2007, the TEA introduced TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-M, and TAKS-Alt to assess students receiving special education services.

Determination of the appropriate assessment is made by the ARD committee based on each individual student's instructional supports and current level of functioning.

TAKS-M (modified) is adjusted to have a larger font size, fewer items per page, reduced number of answer choices, and embedded questions depending upon the subject being assessed.

This section of the test covers Algebra I, Geometry, and minimal use of basic skills, such as graphs, charts, and grids.

Regrettably, this prevents public review of the questions and answers (for appropriateness and correctness) and denies opportunities for students, teachers, and others to learn from the tests.

With Senate Bill 1031 in spring 2007, Texas legislators repealed TAKS in favor of End of Course exams in high school; however, this change will happen gradually.

Students who enter ninth grade in the 2011-2012 school year will have to take end-of-course exams in core subjects.

[23] According to the Texas Federation of Teachers, the EOC will require students taking either the Recommended or Advanced curriculum to take three end-of-course exams in each of four core subjects: English I, English II, English III; Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry; Biology, Chemistry, Physics; World Geography, World History, U.S. History [24] In 2010, Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced a retooled version of the proposed EOC exams, called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).