The TAKS (Accommodated) test is available to any student in the school system that is served by special education services and meets the requirements set forth by the state to need testing accomodation. Consult your school to learn which students are eligible to take the TAKS (Accomodated) test. This test contains larger print and more white space on the page, but the questions and concepts tested are exactly the same as the regular TAKS test. Both English and Spanish versions of the TAKS (Accomodated) are availalble.
The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Modified, or TAKS-M, was designed to meet the standards of the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. TAKS-M is based on grade level curriculum deemed appropriate by the Texas Board of Education, but the assessment is simplified. The TAKS-M is offered to a very small number of students. Be sure to consult your school to learn which students are eligble to take the TAKS-M. The TAKS-M is not available in Spanish.
The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Alternative, or TAKS-ALT, is designed for a very small school population of students with significant cognitive disabilities. Consult your school to learn of students who qualify to take the TAKS-ALT. The TAKS-ALT may be administered with several modifications such as many of the questions being read aloud and fewer answer choices. The TAKS-ALT was developed with alternate academic achievement standards, and may be modified to accomodate specific students.
The state of Texas will debut a new standardized testing system, The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. Just like the TAKS, the STAAR will test students knowledge of the academic standards set forth by the Texas Education Agency. According to the Texas Education Agency, the STAAR will be more rigorous and measure academic growth. Just as the TAKS, the STAAR will feature several alternative tests for students with learning differences included the STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate.