Week+1+Component+5+(Measurement+System)

__Measurement System__

__Minimum State Provision __ TAKS test

__Desirable Local Provision __

TAKS test Stanford 10 TELPAS (ELLs) High Frequency Word assessments TPRI/Tejas Lee Benchmark tests

For Teachers: TAKS ASPIRE (HISD -- A "value-added" program for bonuses based on TAKS results) PDAS and MPDAS

__Preliminary Suggestion for Improvement__

Do away with TAKS and use only one high stakes test that does more than tell a district that a child either exceed, meets, or does not meet expectations. A test like the Stanford 10 or the IOWA provides a grade level for each tested area. One can tell if a student's knowledge is 2nd year, 5 months although he's in the 4th grade. Far more useful than "meets or does not meet" some obscure expectation. The Stanford 10, IOWA, or other similar test should be administered in the Fall, when teachers can then use it to direct a student's education.

Instead of TAKS, end-of-course exams should be given (for grades 1 - 12.)

Students in grades 1 - 12 should be take the Stanford 10 or IOWA at the same time each year so the progress will be more accurately measured. Changing the dates from year to year does not allow for an accurate growth picture.