1. TAKS By law, Texas students must now pass a state assessment in order to be promoted at certain grade levels and to graduate from high school. The previous state assessment was called the TAAS test (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills). TAAS has been replaced by a new state assessment called the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test. The TAKS test evaluates student learning based on the state-required curriculum — the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

2. TAKS The TAKS test will be given in 3rd through 11th grades beginning in Spring 2003. Mathematics, reading, language arts, science, and social studies will be tested at various grade leves:

3. How does TAKS differ from TAAS? TAKS will hold students to higher academic standards than did the TAAS test. TAAS was mostly a multiple–choice exam that also required students in certain grades to write an essay. In addition to some multiple-choice questions, TAKS will also contain questions that require students to determine the answers with no choices from which to select: they must enter short answer responses on the test.

4. TAAS primarily called for simple thinking skills such as identifying, locating facts, and solving simple problems. The TAKS will require more complex thinking such as application of skills and knowledge as well as analysis and evaluation of written materials and problems. Reading passages will be longer and more complex. Students will be required to use rulers to measure items.

5. TAAS primarily called for simple thinking skills such as identifying, locating facts, and solving simple problems. The TAKS will require more complex thinking such as application of skills and knowledge as well as analysis and evaluation of written materials and problems. Reading passages will be longer and more complex. Students will be required to use rulers to measure items.

6. New Requirements for Promotion (The Student Success Initiative) Third grade student must pass the reading section (English or Spanish) of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the fourth grade. Students in the fifth grade will be required to pass the reading and mathematics portions of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the sixth grade. Students in the eighth grade will be required to pass the reading and mathematics portions of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the ninth grade. Students in the 11th Grade must pass all portions of TAKS (mathematics, English Language Arts, social studies, and science) in order to graduate..

7. What will happen if a 3rd grade student doesn't pass TAKS reading? The student’s school will provide extra instruction to strengthen the skills the student needs to be a more successful reader. A student will have two more opportunities to take and pass the reading test before the next school year begins. If a student fails his or her second attempt to pass the test, a committee composed of the principal, parent, and teacher will determine strategies to help the student pass the third attempt. If the student fails the third attempt, the committee will reconvene and decide upon the best placement for the student.

8. How Can Families Help? Talk, ask questions, and keep in touch with your child’s teacher and school. Read a wide variety of books and other kinds of materials with your child, both fiction and nonfiction. Ask your child questions about what he or she has read, discussing the meanings of new words and comparing one story with another, and tying reading to real life experiences. Reduce television time. Plan family learning activities that will support your child's learning.