Do you believe kids should take the TAKS test and that be able to judge if they go to the next grade?
960043
yes because this will save a lot of time for school to teach the children at the same range. But to do that will also "kill" a lot of children to grow better. So i think the best way for children is education at home to cater more for the child's talent and ability.
337311
Your Lucky, where I live in Tennessee the date is September 31.  I've even heard of places in Kansas that cut off by September 15.  I guess the school board tries to make the best decision based on where they are, they are looking out for all the kids.  I personally think all children should be evaluated at age 4, and placed in school based on their intelligence and not their age at all.
107926
I think they give testing to children to evaluate learning difficulties.  So, if you or your child is not having success in school, you might see the e.p. for testing to find out more exactly what the problem is.  Could be Attention Deficit, Dyslexia, or some other specific disorder.  It's good to identify the nature of the problem, because then the e.p. can help identify a plan and some methods of working around the problem.
152110
Personally, I believe ALL children should be tested.  But as a parent, it is not only your right, but also your responsibility, to see that your child is given the best education available/possible.
450876
I think it is a good idea. Kind of like a boot camp lol. It will teach them responsibility and give them a better chance at life.
451428
The best recommendation that I can think of for this would be to just search TAKS on yahoo and practice test should come up with the search.  Good Luck-it's not as bad as they make it out to be!
532671
Hi,\n Some schools have SATs' style exams ready for years 3,4,5 but there is no more formal exam as such until your Son is in year 6. You will probably find that any revision he needs to do will be covered within lesson planning by the teacher and possible as homework. I advise my class not to get too worried about them as they do know the answers but to make sure they get a good nights sleep before the tests and to eat a good breakfast.
659233
HOT TOPIC!  I have mixed views.  On the 1 hand the test is at an 8th grade level, so yes I want high school graduates to pass.  And, they do get 6 chances to pass.  On the other hand some of the students that have to take the test are immagrants new to the state.  It is unfair that they have to pass an english test.  I do think we as a state need to revisit the law and develop an ammendment to better meets the needs of every student and takes each circumstance under consideration.
189940
I don't think so.  I also was advised to do this.  I worked with a home teacher every week...its been a long time so i don't remember the exact amount of time that passed.  Trust me, the teachers/doctors are only looking at what is best for your child to learn.  I appreciate what they did for me.  I think I have an easier time learning today because of this.  They tought me what to watch for when I am reading, they taught me how to read in between the lines.  They helped me to better understand math and science, english.  Just about everything.  Believe me there were times when I hated the special attention...but in the long run it did me much more good than I could have imagined.  So No, I don't think that it is discrimination.
895343
The TAKS Test evaluates students' performances statewide, which in turn when scores are averaged up, assesses the districts' and individual schools' performances among different grades and ethnic groups. Which is solely dependent upon school funding. IPoorer school districts don't always perform well due to lack of proper funding for certified teachers and learning materials necessary for acedemic success. All in all, a lack of resources.  The state has created cirriculumns for each grade level on what is expected of the student to learn for the TAKS.\n\nAnyway, I do understand your son's reasoning. I was personally affected by the TAKS Test, and being two years into college, the affects of this test remain. The TAKS does not prepare students from the future, much less college. Most of  the material covered won't be used again. And your son is not the first case of being an exceptional student but not testing well. This is partly due to the immense pressure placed upon him and his fellow peers to perform well on the test. Please encourage him not to give up. Remind him that the average adult working part time with a diploma earns about $20,000.00 a year at most, and without a diploma, on average about $15,000.00. And introduce him to what new financial responsibilities he'll acquire once he's on his own (i.e. health insurance, car insurance, rent, ultilities, food, miscelaneous, etc.). I've done budget assignments in my college courses on both these budgets, and they're very effective.\n\nSome things that could help your son in regards to testing, would be to take a break when frustrated, and clear his mind. If the answer isn't clear, then move on to the next question and come back to it later. Do the easier questions first, and tackle the harder ones after. This will keep his mind flowing and ready to deal with the harder set of questions. In doing so, he might come to realize that most the questions that seemed ridiculous are really easy questions worded differently to provoke a certain thought process.\n\nAlso, there are materials available to help prepare for the TAKS Test. But the most important piece of advice I can give you, is to let him know that no matter what you love him and are proud of him. Also, that this his last year of dealing with the TAKS - and to make the most if it. If he doesn't pass this spring don't worry, he has ample chances to retake and pass it.
248351
There should be more focus on individual progress than on test scores. Test scores are not the only way of seeing how much a student undertsands and how intelligent are they. I believe more challenging courses should be provided for increased mental stimulation because if students had more challenging work, it would force them to work harder in order to pass. Teachers should be payed more but there should also be higher standards in order to become a teacher because teachers have very important jobs. It is up to them to encourage and teach us so that we reach the peak of our potential. Parental involvement is necessary. It is up to parents to make sure their children understand the value of a good education.Too often parents do not stress the importance of education and no wonder their children don't perform to the best of their abilities. Curriculm revision would have to happen. Too often children are passed on to higher grade levels without learning the skills they need and so more time has to be dedicated towards reteaching skills that should've been learned. Finally, stricter standards in order to pass to the next grade level should be set up. I believe 70% should be the lowest percentage a person could receive in order to pass and if the pupil receives grades lower than C minus in math and Language Arts, he or she should have to go to summer school until improvements are made.
496361
Yes and they should pass.  A passing grade tells everyone that the graduate did his/her part.  The teachers can only give them correct information but it is up to the student to learn it.  If the student is lazy or doesn't care, they should not graduate.
651655
People have different abilities. Teachers are responsible for recognising that. Ok so the students get a D, it isn't the end of the world... that was about my average in school, and granted at 21 im still studying but this is not a negative thing as I believe im just building a foundation and getting a thorough understanding of the world before i really enter it. I remember these words from my childhood "if at first you don't succeed try and try again" it doesn't matter how long it takes, you should tell students in this sitution that it is ok and they should take their time, after all the snail once the race not the hare.
17131
No. Parents enter their kids in these things for themselves. When you throw your child into a competition based on looks, what are you teaching them?\nI was at a kids acting audition recently, and some of the parents were downright embarrassing. You could tell a lot of the kids didn't want to be there and the parents were living through them....expecting the glory. It's sad and too much pressure for a child. How about we focus on them being competative with their grades at school instead of trying to be prettier than the next girl?\nOn the other hand, there are some pageants that don't exploit the kids and actually encourage good scholarship, so I can't speak for all.
1075888
You probably will not be able to find this test. The people that admister this test keep it very confidential. The do not want to take the chance of having parents "teach the test" to their children just so they can enter a GT program.
567690
It could go either way, but one would HOPE the score would go up because the student is more aware of what the test will be like and has prepared him- or herself better.
773652
I have been considered one of the best among my classmates, with everyone expecting me to get every problem correct. Seriously, it's become a big deal if someone scores higher than me on a test. However, my parents continue to push me to hone my skills, since I'm not the best of the best yet.