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State Mandated Tests

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
TAKS is the primary state-mandated criterion based test. It is a form of an achievement test, but the results are analyzed by minimally pre-established cut points for acceptable performance rather than statistical analysis based upon traditional norm-referenced relativity from average scores. TAKS is administered to students in mathematics at grades 3-10 and at the 11th grade exit level; in reading at grades 3-9; in writing at grades 4 and 7; in English language arts (ELA) at grade 10 and at the exit level; in science at grades 5 and 10 and the exit level; and social studies at grades 8 and 10 and the exit level.

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Accommodated (TAKS Accommodated)

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Modified (TAKS M)
Available in all grades and subjects where TAKS is administered, except Spanish, for students who are receiving special education services and are being instructed in modified academic curriculum but for whom neither TAKS nor TAKS (Accommodated) are appropriate measures of their academic achievement and growth.

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Alternative (TAKS Alt)
Available in all grades and subjects where TAKS is administered, except Spanish, for students who are receiving special education services and for whom TAKS, TAKS (Accommodated) nor TAKS-M are appropriate measures of their academic achievement and growth.  TAKS-Alt is an assessment designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities to meet the federal requirements mandated under the No Child Left Behind Act. Students with significant cognitive disabilities may be assessed with alternate standards using an assessment that is linked to the grade-level curriculum through prerequisite skills.

TELPAS
This assessment system measures the progress that English language learners-referred to as limited English proficient (LEP) students in state and federal law-make in acquiring the English language. As required by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act of 2001, TELPAS assesses the language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

TELPAS has two components:

Reading Proficiency Tests in English (RPTE)
RPTE measures the domain of reading. Students in grades 3-12 may be assessed by RPTE.

Observation Protocols
Observation Protocols measures the domains of listening, speaking and writing. Students in grades 2-12 may be assessed using Observation Protocols.