TAKS Testing Begins
Written for kvia.com by Anchor/Reporter Stephanie Valle
EL PASO, TX — A lot is riding on the shoulders of students this week.
Testing on the TAKS – or the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills – begins today. The test examines a student’s grasp of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Today’s test goes over language skills.
The TAKS determines whether students should advance to the next grade level or even be allowed to complete high school.
Students of all ages will be taking the test today, and the rest of the week.
“This is my first year taking it since I was in a private school before, but I’m pretty confident,” Coronado High School Junior Mariana Yee said.
“I think I’ll do well.”
Yee and her friend Paulina Almanza studied at Barnes & Noble Bookstore on the west side last night.
Almanza says her parents are pushing her to get a “Commended” score on the writing portion of the test.
“My mom helps me,”says Almanza.
“She gives me essays that have been commended and she wants me to be commended. She makes me read them to see how to write the essays.”
Even Mayor John Cook encouraged students to take the test seriously, leaving a recorded message on E.P.I.S.D.’s phone systemurging students to get a good night’s sleep and eat abalanced breakfast in the morning.
“I know your teachers have prepared you well for this test, so don’t worry, be relaxed, and make us proud of our E.P.I.S.D. students,” said Cook’s message.
Students in all El Paso area school districts will be taking the test along with school-age children in the state of Texas.