The people of Texas are trying to get rid of the TAKS test because it's just too hard ... ha.
If you do not live in Texas, you probably don't know what the TAKS test is. It is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills --- a standardized test that students in public schools take in 3rd grade & every year until 11th grade. In 11th grade, students take exit level exams; however, if the student does not pass in 11th grade, they have to retake the test(s) until they pass. If they do not pass, they do not graduate. The student can technically graduate if they pass the test given during the summer, but they do not get to walk (or "march") at the graduation ceremony. The TAKS consists of separates tests focusing on reading, writing, English language arts, social studies, math & science.
**students in grades 3-10 have to pass in order to move onto the next grade &/or avoid placement in remedial classes.
**From my experience, the information on these tests is the same information that is repeatedly shoved at us starting in 1st grade
In Texas, there has been a lot of controversy over this test. This past year, 40,000 students did NOT pass the TAKS test. From my perspective, people are pissed because their children aren't passing these tests and many are not graduating. The outcome of keeping or getting rid of the test does not affect me anymore ... but the issue itself bothers me.
OK, here it comes ... Since when do we just get rid of tests because some people fail? Why are these parents blaming teachers & test makers for their child's failure? Does it not have anything to do with ... umm ... the Student? One of my younger sisters always struggles with at least one of her tests but my parents do not blame the teachers; they know it's up to my sister to pay attention in class. I have never failed a TAKS test. In fact, this past year was the first time I ever received a grade below "Academic Recognition." With all of the people that do incredibly well on these tests, I want to know why there are so many problems.
-This test does not affect a student's GPA
-This test gives student's a class-free week
-Seniors who have already passed the test get days offIf anything, this test is a waste of time.
I'm okay with it though - I do not mind taking a few tests that take less than a couple hours a day if it means watching movies or napping for the rest of the school day!
Has anyone ever noticed that students who don't pass the TAKS usually aren't passing their classes either? Hmm ... correlation or relationship maybe? But, of course, it is still all the tests fault! Maybe these student's should know that the TAKS test will be replaced with end-of-semester exams that will be worth about 25% of their grade in each class. I wonder which one would be harder … ha.
This is NOT aimed at those who have test taking anxiety -- I feel for you! There is nothing worse than test anxiety.
My issues are with the student's who get through classes by cheating, only pass
regular classes because the teacher is too nice, & then blame those teachers because they can't pass a simple TAKS test.
If Texas is going to get rid of the TAKS, do so because of a substantial reason -- not because lazy people who place themselves above school or education are starting to complain. Let’s see what happens when even more students fail school, not just some test but SCHOOL, because they have to take REAL exams that have the ability to make almost anyone fail.
Opinions? I don't mind an argument!
We have tests like that in each subject. they are called Regents exams. i hate them.
As a Texas student with two parents who work as teachers, I've heard quite a bit about TAKS in the last several years. The problem is that there are complications with the No Child Left Behind legislation. States have got to have some way of measuring students' progress with the rest of the nation. However, I don't feel like the tests actually measure what we know. For example, any fool can pass the Science TAKS test, just as long as they know how to read a chart or a graph. All the information you need to know to get a good score is included in the test itself.
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/lemmonkat
As a scientist, I must say that a huge part of being a scientist is being able to read charts and graphs. You would be surprised by the amount of trouble some people with masters' degrees have reading a simple chart because this was not a standard skill until recently.
I love abortion. Read more here:
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We have similar tests in Florida called the FCAT which is the same thing. Measures math, reading,science and it causes a lot of controversy because kids start taking it in the 3rd but prepping since 1st.
Yeah, same here! I think if our entire academic career is going to revolve around these standardized tests we should get something for it! Colleges don't look at it, you don't get any kind of scholarships & it doesn't help your GPA ... Also, it doesn't even prepare us for college testing, etc.
Ugh. However, I will not be one to call "Religion" -- that is what uneducated people do when they can't think of a better excuse.
I think that Texas should stop giving TAKs test, but not because several students are failing. I agree that the students who fail have only themselves to blame, but I think the TAKs test is pointless and teachers spend too much time trying to prepare the student for that one test than the subject they're actually suppose to be learning.
And apparently, according to what my counsler said, they are wanting to replace the TAKs test with new tests that are more specific- for example, instead of taking a "Math" TAKS test, students would take an Algebra 1 Test, a Geometry Test, etc. Instead of a "Science" Taks test, there would be a Biology test, a Physics Test, etc.
Stormy
Yes, I agree! If they are going to get rid of the TAKS it should be because it doesn't do much for academic career. I like the idea of specified exams ... Maybe teachers could start focusing on preparing students for college with the TAKS gone? What a concept - preparing students for college!
I think the TAKS should be done away with because it has no effect on college acceptance. But the kids who fail only have themselves to blame. I only had to take the 11th grade TAKS cause i had just moved to Texas, but it was incredibly easy. If a students can't pass the TAKS they really don't have the knowledge they should have at that age.
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