How to Use TAKS Results to Focus Programs Dr. Cyndi Louden, TAKS Science Manager Irene Pickhardt, Assistant Director Science Texas Education Agency January 11, 2007

Why Look at TAKS Results? TAKS provides information about student knowledge of the TEKS

A New Resource is Available Access is provided through the Pearson Educational Measurement Texas Assessment website located at

Using this System Select “Assessment Results” Select “Assessment Results” Decide whether you want: Decide whether you want: –Statewide –Regional by the 20 ESC’s –District-wide –By school (when interpreting data at the school-level, be aware that numbers under 5 students are ‘masked’

Directions Select “April TAKS 3-10 and Exit Level (English) “ Select “April TAKS 3-10 and Exit Level (English) “April TAKS 3-10 and Exit Level (English)April TAKS 3-10 and Exit Level (English) Select a subject and grade (e.g. science is tested at Grades 5, 8, 10 and Exit Level at Grade 11). Select a subject and grade (e.g. science is tested at Grades 5, 8, 10 and Exit Level at Grade 11).

Example: Let’s select Burnet MS in Austin ISD P. 1 Select Phase In Report P. 1 Select Phase In Report –Look at how well “All Students” did at two Standard Errors of Measurement (SEMS) below the passing standard –What percentage of students would have met the standard at the Panel Recommendation cut score? –Compare the performance of males and females

Summary Report All Students-p.14 Examine how well students did in each of the 5 objectives at Gr. 8 Science Examine how well students did in each of the 5 objectives at Gr. 8 Science If you have any questions about what TEKS are included in each objective, go to the TAKS Information Booklets at essment/taks/booklets/index.html If you have any questions about what TEKS are included in each objective, go to the TAKS Information Booklets at essment/taks/booklets/index.html

Questions? If you have any questions about accessing the website or the reports, please call Pearson Educational Measurement's Austin Operations Center at or If you have any questions about accessing the website or the reports, please call Pearson Educational Measurement's Austin Operations Center at or send an to send an to

Let’s look at the April 2006 Science TAKS Results for Region XIII

What do these results tell us? What do they not tell us? What do they not tell us?

Item Analysis Summary Report 04/06 Which questions did the students have the most difficulty with? Which questions did the students have the most difficulty with?

Your Task Working in a group of 3-4, Working in a group of 3-4, Identify One (1) area of need in a school or district you work with. For example, reading comprehension at Gr. 3 is weak; e.g. the Life Science objective at Grade 5 Science is an area of weakness. Identify One (1) area of need in a school or district you work with. For example, reading comprehension at Gr. 3 is weak; e.g. the Life Science objective at Grade 5 Science is an area of weakness. Suggest one Resource or Workshop your TEEAC program can offer to this school. Suggest one Resource or Workshop your TEEAC program can offer to this school.

What are the Implications? There is a need for support with the earth sciences. There is a need for support with the earth sciences. Students and teachers needs to obtain conceptual understanding more than the factoids. Students and teachers needs to obtain conceptual understanding more than the factoids. –This exact question will not show up again. –But the concept of the processes and forces that form the earth’s surface probably will.

TEA’s Assessment Page nt/reporting/ nt/reporting/ nt/reporting/ nt/reporting/ Spending a little time here will inform you of the challenges in your area. Spending a little time here will inform you of the challenges in your area. Target your programs more accurately to what students need. Target your programs more accurately to what students need.

Who to Contact: Who to Contact: Curriculum Division Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science Irene Pickhardt Assistant Director of Science Assessment Division Science Specialists: Dr. Cynthia Louden Shannon Miller Magda Wolk Janine Samer Robert Bingham

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