1. It all pays off in the end. What Students Should Know About Success in School & TAKS

2. What is TAKS? Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Yearly testing program Measures student’s mastery of the state’s curriculum Accountability system for all public schools

3. What must a student score on TAKS to pass? A student must score a 2100 on each test to meet standard A student must also score a 2 (rated as “somewhat effective”) or higher on the composition at the 7 th /10 th /11th grade to meet standard

4. What is “Commended Performance?” Refers to an individual student achievement and honor on a test Students must score a 2400 scale score, which is considerably above the state passing standard of 2100

5. Are the TAKS tests be phased out at the high school level? When you are in high school, the TAKS test will be replaced by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests STAAR establishes an End-of-Course (EOC) exam system for students to earn diploma Students who are in the 7th grade in 09/10 will be the first class affected by this change

6. Why is my TAKS score important? Many course placement decisions are based on your TAKS scores. Some students are placed in remedial courses based on their performance on TAKS. These courses will use up schedule space and sometimes prevent students from taking courses they would like to take. Skills for Academic Success (SAS - full year), Algebra Lab, Geometry Lab, READ 180 are some of the courses that help students who struggle with TAKS. Doing well in Middle School prepares students for the EXIT Level TAKS and the academic rigor of high school.

7. Research shows that students who pass the pre-graduation TAKS test tend to pass the Exit Level TAKS. Passing TAKS on the first administration will prevent placement in TAKS remedial courses!!!

8. Hang in there! It all pays of in the end.