Navigating the Course
of Change
What Students Need to Know About
the New TAKS Exam and the Student
Success Initiative
Goals for this Presentation
• To tell students in Texas public schools
about the new assessment and
accountability instruments:
• The TAKS
• The Student Success Initiative
• To help students understand:
• How these changes will affect them
• What they must do to be successful
Education Service Center, Region 20
2
Four Topics:
• Why is education changing?
• What do all students need to know?
• When will these changes take place?
• What must students do to be
successful?
Education Service Center, Region 20
3
Why is education changing?
Topic 1
Education Service Center, Region 20
4
The world is changing.
• The world is changing,
and it is getting harder
to succeed and survive.
• A solid education is
one of the cornerstones
needed for success.
Education Service Center, Region 20
5
Activity
• Create a T-chart like the one on the
next page on the chart paper provided
on your table.
• On the left side of the T-chart, list ways
that the world has changed. (2 minutes)
• On the right side, list at least one way
that a good education can help with
each change. (3 minutes)
Education Service Center, Region 20
6
Sample T-chart
Changes in the Ways a good
world education can help
Good jobs The better I read,
require better the better job I can
reading skills. get and I can earn
more.
Education Service Center, Region 20
7
• Texas legislators and educators are
working hard to ensure that Texas
students get an excellent education.
• The changes occurring in Texas
education are part of a
long-term plan to make sure
that students are able to
succeed in college, at work,
and in all areas of life.
• Students who are successful in life
ensure that the state is successful.
Education Service Center, Region 20
8
How successful has the plan
been so far?
TABS Exit Level TAAS Exit Level
Use basic operations to The fare for riding a taxi
is a $2 fixed charge and
solve:
$.10 per mile. The fare
7.85+1.6+30.04 = for a ride of d miles is
a. 80.25 $3.50. Which equation
b. 108.69 could be used to find d?
c. 108.85 a. .10(2+d)=3.50
b. .10(2)+d=3.50
d. 110.29
c. 2(.1d)=3.50
d. 2+.1d=3.50
e. 2(.1)+d=3.50
Education Service Center, Region 20
9
How else has it been successful?
TAAS Test 1994 2000
Mathematics 76.5 87.4
Reading 60.5 87.4
Writing 79.0 88.2
Education Service Center, Region 20
10
The time has come to take Texas students
to new academic heights!
The TAKS and the Student Success
Initiative are the instruments that
Texas is using to ensure that students
SOAR higher and higher.
Education Service Center, Region 20
11
Senate Bill 103
• This bill mandates that the State Board of
Education create and implement a statewide
assessment program that is knowledge- and
skills-based.
• The assessment shall test students in
reading, writing, mathematics, social studies,
and science.
Education Service Center, Region 20
12
What do all students need to know?
Topic 2
Education Service Center, Region 20
13
A Thought to Get Started
“Everything should be made as simple as
possible . . . but not simpler.”
-Albert Einstein
Education Service Center, Region 20
14
What changes do students need to
know about?
There are two major changes in Texas education
that students need to know about:
• The TAKS
•The Student Success Initiative
Education Service Center, Region 20
15
What is the TAKS?
• TAKS stands for the Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and Skills. It is the exam
that replaces TAAS.
• It is based upon a set of knowledge and
skills (curriculum) that all students must
know. This body of information is called
the TEKS.
Education Service Center, Region 20
16
TEKS? TAKS?
Explain, please!
• The TEKS, Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills (curriculum), are all the important
things that Texas students must know. These
include math, science, English, reading and
United States history.
• The TAKS is the instrument (examination)
used to measure how well students are
learning all these subjects.
Education Service Center, Region 20
17
How do the TAKS and TAAS
exams compare?
• Students might find the TAKS exam more
challenging than the TAAS because it tests
more information (the TEKS). It also tests
more deeply and requires more thinking
skills.
• Fortunately, teachers are required to focus on
teaching the TEKS and on teaching more
thinking skills.
Education Service Center, Region 20
18
How are they alike?
• At the high school level, students have had to
take the TAAS exit exam in the tenth grade.
Before they could graduate, they HAD to pass all
portions of the TAAS exit level exam.
• Under the new system, the same is true. High
school students must pass all portions of the
TAKS exit exam before being allowed to
graduate.
• What is different is that the TAKS exit exam will
not be administered until the eleventh grade.
Education Service Center, Region 20
19
Do students have fewer chances to pass
the TAKS exam?
The TAAS exit exam is given in the tenth grade.
The TAKS exit exam is given in the eleventh grade.
Students will have fewer chances to pass the TAKS
exam in order to graduate on time. This is why it is
extremely important for all students to know about
these changes and to WORK HARD to prepare for
them.
Education Service Center, Region 20
20
What subjects do the TAKS and TAAS
exit exams test?
TAAS TAKS
Mathematics Mathematics: Algebra I and
Geometry (using calculators)
Reading Language Arts: Reading and
Writing Writing in English III
Science: Biology, IPC–Integrated
Physics & Chemistry
History: Early American History,
U.S. History, World
History, and World
Education Service Center, Region 20
Geography
21
What other new things are coming?
The Student Success Initiative (SSI) is in effect
this school year.
Education Service Center, Region 20
22
What is the SSI?
• Under the SSI, a student cannot be promoted
to certain grades without passing the TAKS
exam.
• The SSI will impact the third, fifth, and eighth
grades.
• All grade levels will be involved in preparing
students for the TAKS exam.
• The SSI is mandated by state law to ensure
successful student learning.
Education Service Center, Region 20
23
When will these changes take place?
Topic 3
Education Service Center, Region 20
24
The Texas Education Agency Timeline
The Texas Education Agency has
created a schedule, or timeline, for
when the TAKS and SSI will take effect.
Education Service Center, Region 20
25
The 2001-2002 School Year
TAAS The TAAS exam was given for the last
time in the Spring of 2002.
The eighth grade test in Social Studies
was counted in the campus and district
ratings for the first time ever.
TAKS The TAKS exam was also given in
Spring 2002 as a field test.
Education Service Center, Region 20
26
The 2002-03 School Year
TAKS The TAKS exam will be given this year
in the third through eleventh grades.
SSI The SSI will require third graders (the
class of 2012) to pass the TAKS Reading
in order to be promoted to the fourth
grade.
Education Service Center, Region 20
27
What will the TAKS test?
Subject Grades Tested
Reading 3 to 9
Writing 4 and 7
Mathematics 3 to 11
Social Studies 8, 10, and 11
Science 5, 10, and 11
Language Arts 10 and 11
Education Service Center, Region 20
28
What else does the TAKS test?
• Example: Fifth grade science
Fifth grade science = PK science + K science + first
grade science + second grade science + third grade
science + fourth grade science + 7/9ths of fifth
grade science
Education Service Center, Region 20
29
The 2003-04 School Year
TAKS The TAKS exam will be administered in
the third through eleventh grades. In
order to graduate from high school, it
will be necessary to pass the eleventh
grade exit level TAKS.
SSI The SSI will require third graders to
pass the TAKS Reading in order to be
promoted to the fourth grade.
Education Service Center, Region 20
30
The 2004-05, 2005-06, and
2006-07 School Years
TAKS The TAKS will be given these years in the
third through eleventh grades.
The SSI will require third graders to pass the
TAKS Reading in order to be promoted.
Also, fifth graders will be required to pass
SSI
Reading and Math to be promoted.
Education Service Center, Region 20
31
The 2007-08 School Year
and Beyond
TAKS The TAKS exam will be given these years in
the third through eleventh grades.
SSI The Student Success Initiative (SSI) will
require third graders to pass the TAKS
Reading exam.
Also, fifth and eighth graders will be required
to pass Reading and Math to be promoted.
Education Service Center, Region 20
32
What must students do to
be successful?
Topic 4
Education Service Center, Region 20
33
Be Aware of What the
SSI Requires
• Under the SSI, you cannot be promoted
to the next grade without passing the
TAKS exam.
• The grades affected are:
• Third grade, starting in 2003 and beyond
• Fifth grade, starting in 2005 and beyond
• Eighth grade, starting in 2008 and beyond
Education Service Center, Region 20
34
Be Aware of What the TAKS Exit
Exam Requires
• Starting with the class of 2005, students must
pass all portions of the TAKS to graduate
from high school.
• It is administered in Grade 11.
• It covers mathematics, English III & writing,
Integrated Physics & Chemistry, biology, and
Early American and U.S. history.
Education Service Center, Region 20
35
Ensuring Success
Teachers are teaching the TEKS and working
hard to help students learn everything they need
to be successful!
What must students do to ensure success?
Education Service Center, Region 20
36
Ensuring Success
Above all: Work hard in ALL classes and enjoy school!!!
Pay
attention in Complete all homework
class and
cooperate
Take Take the right
Success classes
risks and
be active
learners Understand
graduation
Understand test scores, including scores requirements
for specific objectives (These reveal
strengths and needs.)
Education Service Center, Region 20
37
Where can students get more
information?
• Students should contact their teacher(s),
counselor, assistant principal, or principal.
• Students should talk to their parents about
what is required. Find out how they can
help.
• Get more information at
http://www.esc20.net
Education Service Center, Region 20
38
Let’s work together to perfect this
presentation!
• Modify this presentation to suit your needs.
• Create new activities.
• SHARE your successes by emailing:
rick.alvarado@esc20.net
• Your successes will be shared with everyone
in turn!
Education Service Center, Region 20
39