More Than 40,000 Seniors Fail Taks Test

[GreenBat]

More than 40,000 seniors fail TAKS test

07:34 PM CDT on Friday, May 11, 2007

By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News

tstutz@dallasnews.com

AUSTIN – Nearly one of every six high school seniors – a record 40,182 students from the Class of 2007 – won't get a diploma this month after failing to pass all sections of the state's high school graduation test, the Texas Education Agency reported Friday.

Minority students were hit hardest by the test requirement. About one in four black and Hispanic seniors were unable to make the grade and won't receive diplomas during graduation ceremonies scheduled across the state over the next few weeks.

The high number of failures may give the Legislature more incentive to pass a bill that would scrap the graduation test and replace it with a series of end-of-course exams taken throughout high school. The bill, which has already passed the Senate and is awaiting action by the House, is expected to allow more students to pass and get their diplomas.

State education officials attributed the poor showing to a higher passing standard that was phased in on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills this year, requiring students to answer more questions correctly than in previous years. Students were tested in four subjects – English, math, science and social studies.

"We know that it is heartbreaking for students to miss graduating with their class," state Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley said. "I know the immediate concern deals with commencement activities, but students also need to keep their eye on the ultimate goal: earning a high school diploma.

"I encourage all students who still need to pass one or more parts of the TAKS to retake the test this summer."

The commissioner also encouraged failing students and their parents to check with their high schools to see if they can still participate in graduation ceremonies. Students who pass all of their courses but fail the TAKS can receive certificates of attendance.

Scores were generally up on the TAKS at other grade levels this spring, particularly in the seventh grade, where 70 percent of students passed all sections of the exam – up from 64 percent last year. Those students will be the first group required to pass the eighth-grade TAKS next year to be promoted to the ninth grade.

Statewide, about 3 million public school students took the TAKS test this year.

[untbowler]

nice glad to see the politicians want to dumb down our schools even more now. How about letting the teachers teach and have the parents actually be parents.

Have a hard time feeling sorry for most as they have had probably 3-4 chances to pass what should be relatively routine tests.

[eulesseagle]

I understand that there is a bill before the Texas Legislature to eliminate the TAKS. That will be excellent to get rid of a system that teaches kids how to pass the standardized test instead of teaching kids basic education like math, reading and sciences.

[UNTflyer]

That will be excellent to get rid of a system that teaches kids how to pass the standardized test instead of teaching kids basic education like math, reading and sciences.

I think that is the problem of the TEACHERS. It is the teachers and principals who have decided to "teach the test". If they simply taught these kids the basic skills that most high school graduates should know, they wouldn't have this problem.

Here's a sample question from the science section:

2 All of these procedures should be followed for

lab safety except —

A immediately reporting all dangerous

activity

B wearing gloves when necessary

C using eye protection as needed

D putting used chemicals back in the

original containers

Here's a sample question from the math portion:

Barry purchased a box for fishing tackle that cost $19 and x fishing hooks that cost $0.26 each. If a sales tax of 7.75% is applied to the total purchase, which equation can be used to find y, the total cost of the tackle box and the fishing hooks?

A y =(19 + 0.26x) + (19 + 0.26x)(0.0775)

B y =19 + 0.26x + 19(0.775)

C y =(19 + 0.26x)(0.0775)

D y =(19 + 0.26x)(19 + 0.26x)(0.0775)

If Texas students can't pass the TAKS, they deserve to be condemned to a life of flipping burgers.

[Greenblood94]

By the way, the correct answers are D and C, respectively.

[FirefightnRick]

It is the teachers and principals who have decided to "teach the test".

The teachers and principals made that decision?

Rick

[JayDub]

I think that is the problem of the TEACHERS. It is the teachers and principals who have decided to "teach the test". If they simply taught these kids the basic skills that most high school graduates should know, they wouldn't have this problem.

The teachers and principals were put in a position to have no other choice. A certain percentage passes...or your job and funding hangs in the balance. It is ridiculous that teachers are no longer allowed to teach. Teachers WANT to teach the life skills that used to be taught. However, in many schools they are reprimanded for not teaching the test.

Problem is, every f**king kid is told they are special from day one...so they and their parents think it is OK they are borderline (or oftentimes WELL BELOW the borderline) retarded when there is no genetic reason for them to lack basic knowledge.

Edited May 12, 2007 by JayDub

[emmitt01]

The teachers and principals were put in a position to have no other choice. A certain percentage passes...or your job and funding hangs in the balance. It is ridiculous that teachers are no longer allowed to teach. Teachers WANT to teach the life skills that used to be taught. However, in many schools they are reprimanded for not teaching the test.

Problem is, every f**king kid is told they are special from day one...so they and their parents think it is OK they are borderline (or oftentimes WELL BELOW the borderline) retarded when there is no genetic reason for them to lack basic knowledge.

Oh they are special:

First they are "special" because they're disruptive instead of learning...

Then they get sent to a "special" alternative school...

Then they fail/drop out and become "special" citizens...

Then they end up in "special" metal bracelets...

Then there is a "special" building to house them and everyone like them.

Edited May 12, 2007 by emmitt01

[buff64]

Keep in mind that 70% of the seniors passed the test, which is up from 64% last year and this is with higher passing standards. Why must the press insist on headlining the bad instead of the good ?

When the legislature took educational decisions away from the educators , they made teaching the test mandatory and the focus of the curriculum. A large number of the stdents that failed to pass the test will tell you they could care less, the sad part is that their parents will tell you the same thing.

Those of you that are in a position to hire people , when was the last time you looked at a propective employees high school diploma ?

[FirefightnRick]

A large number of the stdents that failed to pass the test will tell you they could care less, the sad part is that their parents will tell you the same thing.

Which is why, if elected president I will mandate that those who could care less will get out and start their life in the REAL WORLD!!!!!!!!!! and do away with that no child left behind crap. If you want to come to school at 16 to solely disrupt class, repeatedly putting notches on your belt for again getting sent to SAC or whatever other stupid acronyn your school calls "TIME OUT", then you need to join the working force. Get your ass out there and get a job, live under a bridge, whatever, but your not going to disrupt school for those who want to learn.

Rick

[MeanGreenBuzz]

Keep dumbing down the test instead of actually teaching cuz that will make the world better...

[GoMeanGreen1999]

nice glad to see the politicians want to dumb down our schools even more now. How about letting the teachers teach and have the parents actually be parents.

Have a hard time feeling sorry for most as they have had probably 3-4 chances to pass what should be relatively routine tests.

Great post. Now if we could get parents to really be parents, and pay our teachers more so we keep the better ones in the schools, we would be in a lot better shape.

[UNTflyer]

By the way, the correct answers are D and C, respectively.

BUZZ!

The answer to number 2 is A.

[emmitt01]

BUZZ!

The answer to number 2 is A.

No, it's most certainly C. Sorry.

[UNTFan23]

No, it's most certainly C. Sorry.

Nope sorry, you're both wrong. The correct answer is 42. Suckas!

DtpV8ppf63E

Edited May 13, 2007 by UNTFan23

[untbowler]

A is correct because you need to add the 2 totals together then add the Total taxed at 7.75%. I thought C also but wrong we were.

[UNTflyer]

No, it's most certainly C. Sorry.

Sorry emmitt. C would only give you the amount of the tax, not the total.

[gksmith]

The question is not worded very well. Is $19 the total of the sale or just the total of all the tackle? Or is it the total without the hooks or the tax?

That is the problem with standardized tests. Half the problem is figuring out what the heck they are asking? Which is why teachers have to teach HOW TO TAKE THE TEST instead of regular studies.

[UNTFan23]

Barry paid too much for a tackle box. He should have gone to Cabelas in north Ft Worth and paid $9.99 for this tackle box instead.

[emmitt01]

Sorry emmitt. C would only give you the amount of the tax, not the total.

Come to think of it you are absolutely correct.

Clearly my 760 on the math portion of the SAT didn't include this question.

[buff64]

Come to think of it you are absolutely correct.

Clearly my 760 on the math portion of the SAT didn't include this question.

Your teachers must not have spent enough time teaching the test .

[buff64]

Correction to my first post on this subject. The paper this morning stated that 80% of the seniors passed all 4 parts of the test. Once again this , with higher passing standards.

Congradulations to those of you that are teachers or school administrators.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

The question is not worded very well. Is $19 the total of the sale or just the total of all the tackle? Or is it the total without the hooks or the tax?

That is the problem with standardized tests. Half the problem is figuring out what the heck they are asking? Which is why teachers have to teach HOW TO TAKE THE TEST instead of regular studies.

I have decided that is how they all are - the Series 6 test is exactly that way.