Leah Buxkemper
ED 6310
July 28, 2003
ELEVENTH GRADE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
TAKS RESOURCES
Since I teach grades six through twelve, I chose the test with the highest stakes to examine. Students are unable to graduate without being successful on this test. It has also undergone extensive revision from the former TAAS test. The writing prompt is now thematically linked to the Reading triplet. The students need to refer to specific information gathered from the reading. Another change involves the whole writing process. Formula writing was encouraged in the past. The TAKS does not want this. They want students to express their individuality in their writing. The writing sample must be authentic and original, not contrived. Yet another change involves the purpose for writing. In the past, the purpose was stated. Now, students must choose their own purpose. They are encouraged to use not only one but a combination of genres.
The new TAKS test has six objectives, three for reading and three for writing. The reading objectives will be assessed through multiple-choice items based on a set of three pieces called a triplet. Also, objectives two and three will be assessed through several open-ended short-answer items. Objectives four and five will b e assessed through a composition that the student writes in response to a prompt which is linked to the triplet. Objective six will test revising and editing skills.
These new tests mean that teachers must seek new methods of test preparation to assist students in their quest to be successful. I have found some helpful resources that might aide teachers in their search for assistance.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/teachers.html
The above website offers a great deal of information not only for the teacher but also the student and their parents. This site offers access to the TAKS Information Booklet. This booklet lists the TAKS objectives and describes expectations. It provides sample questions and helpful hints. It also provides scoring hints. TAKS Study Guides are also available on this site. They can be viewed online or printed. This is an invaluable resource for teachers and students. It provides detailed information on each objective and samples to answer. This guide breaks down the objectives into all of the different components of reading, such as summarization and comprehension. Correct answers are also provided. The authors also provide helpful hints in the margin directed at the students to help them know what to look for and the kinds of questions they should be asking as they study. This site also offers scoring rubrics for teachers. I think it would be helpful to share these with students as well to let them know what the scorers will be concentrating on finding.
This website allows the teacher to select the subject area to be tested, grade level, the TEKS they want to address, the level of difficulty, the level of thinking, and the format of the answers. The teacher may also identify four keywords they want the problems to concentrate on. Webcat then generates a list of questions for the teacher to preview. The teacher then selects the items she wants printed on the test. The test along with an answer key is printed.
This software contains components for both Reading and Writing sections of the test. The writing section includes revising and editing passages and numerous writing prompts. Tutorial lessons are provided for each TAKS topic. This program also provides a detailed error analysis for each student broken down by skill as well as date.
This is an online testing program. The questions were field-tested to ensure accuracy and reliability. Performance levels are frequently checked. This program can be used at home also. It has the ability to disaggregate practice test data and conduct n item analysis for each student.
In addition to these online resources, I located several books and materials that might prove beneficial.
Effective Writing Instructions for All Students developed by Region IV service center - This booklet provides sample lessons for teaching writing as a sample student paper to go with each lesson.
Better Test Scores - This book is a preparation guide for taking standardized and state tests from Perfection Learning. This book is loaded with test-taking strategies both general and subject specific.
Writing Series: Improve Writing Skills by Fisher Education, Inc. - This book provides an explanation of the writing process, effecti ve steps for teaching writing, task-analysis, test-taking strategies, and graphic organizers.
Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test - This book has ideas for vertically aligning writing curriculum. Writing samples with critiques are provided.
TAKS Connection - Diagnostic Series by KAMICO Instructional Media - This book lists 7500 test items in TAKS format. It helps identify TEKS that still need to be addressed.
In addition to the above materials and websites, good teaching strategies and best practices will prove invaluable. Teachers should practice good teaching a daily basis, net just spend weeks doing practice tests. They should compile a writing portfolio of students work and provide feedback about their work. They should encourage students to get in the habit of planning what they are going to write and encourage proofreading and checking work. After completing a practice test, the teacher should share examples of good work. The teachers also need to provide opportunities for students to practice writing in different genres. Another good resource is the students' current literature book. They could apply those stories to writing samples.
As you can see, even though the test is relatively new, there is assistance available.