What Students Need to Know About the New TAKS Exam and the Student Success Initiative

1. Navigating the Course of Change What Students Need to Know About the New TAKS Exam and the Student Success Initiative

2. 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

3. 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?

4. Why is education changing? Topic 1 Education Service Center, Region 20 4

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Sample T-chart Changes in the Ways a good world education can help Good jobs require better reading skills. The better I read, the better job I can get and I can earn more.

8. 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.

9. TABS Exit Level Use basic operations to solve: 7.85+1.6+30.04 = a. 80.25 b. 108.69 c. 108.85 d. 110.29 TAAS Exit Level The fare for riding a taxi is a $2 fixed charge and $.10 per mile. The fare for a ride of d miles is $3.50. Which equation could be used to find d? .10(2+d)=3.50 .10(2)+d=3.50 2(.1d)=3.50 2+.1d=3.50 2(.1)+d=3.50 How successful has the plan been so far?

10. TAAS Test 1994 2000 Mathematics 76.5 87.4 Reading 60.5 87.4 Writing 79.0 88.2 How else has it been successful?

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. What do all students need to know? Topic 2 Education Service Center, Region 20 13

14. A Thought to Get Started “Everything should be made as simple as possible . . . but not simpler.” -Albert Einstein

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. What subjects do the TAKS and TAAS exit exams test? TAASTAKS 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 Geography

22. What other new things are coming? The Student Success Initiative (SSI) is in effect this school year.

23. 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.

24. When will these changes take place? Topic 3 Education Service Center, Region 20 24

25. The Texas Education Agency Timeline The Texas Education Agency has created a schedule, or timeline, for when the TAKS and SSI will take effect.

26. The 2001-2002 School Year

27. The 2002-03 School Year

28. What will the TAKS test? SubjectGrades 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

29. 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

30. The 2003-04 School Year

31. The 2004-05, 2005-06, and2006-07 School Years

32. The 2007-08 School Year and Beyond

33. What must students do to be successful? Topic 4 Education Service Center, Region 20 33

34. 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

35. 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.

36. 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?

37. Pay attention in class and cooperate Complete all homework Success Take the right classes Take risks and be active learners Understand graduation requirements Understand test scores, including scores for specific objectives (These reveal strengths and needs.) Ensuring Success Above all: Work hard in ALL classes and enjoy school!!!

38. 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

39. 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!