According to Texas Education Code §39.023(e), the Texas Education Agency must make available by public release the primary form of the TAKS for each grade and subject tested every three years. (A release schedule is available.) Hard copies of released tests can be ordered from Pearson Educational Measurement or downloaded on the Texas Education Agency's website. (See Resources.) Studying and practicing with these actual tests should be an important part of a student's study strategy.
Study and ensure proficiency in the subjects being tested. Different grades are tested on different subjects; the only subject taught in every grade is mathematics. In addition, reading is tested up until 10th and 11th grade, when it is substituted with English language arts. The other subjects tested at various intervals are writing (4th and 7th grades), science (5th, 8th, 10th and 11th grades) and social studies (8th, 10th and 11th grades).
To ensure the appropriate level of proficiency at the required subjects, use the Texas Education Agency's TAKS study guides, available on its website. These study guides are structured to be used by students both on their own and in conjunction with parental assistance. Guides include instructions for parents, progress charts with detailed objectives and problem sets and lessons geared at helping children meet the necessary standards. In addition to the TEA's TAKS study guides, Pearson also offers interactive study guides, available online, as well as printable study guides. The interactive guides may be more engaging for children who struggle with tests and studying.
For children who are struggling and for whom study guides do not provide sufficient assistance in meeting standardized testing requirements, a tutor may be required. Tutoring can help children who are falling behind in Texas educational standards achieve the necessary growth to do well on the TAKS test. Tutors can be found online or in the phone book; your child's teacher or fellow parents may also be able to recommend a TAKS tutor for your child.