The Texas legislature voted to require a new statewide testing system in 1999. For two years, K through 12 and college teachers, school administrators, parents and community members worked to create TAKS and link it to TEKS standards. TAKS began rolling out in 2002, and it replaced the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) in 2003.
TAKS tests are given in reading (grades 3 through 9), math (grades 3 through 10 and exit level), writing (grades 4 and 7), English language arts (ELA) (grades 10 and exit level), science (grades 5, 8, 10 and exit level) and social studies (grades 8, 10 and exit level).
TAKS (Accommodated), TAKS-Alternative (TAKS--Alt) and TAKS-Modified (TAKS-M) tests are available for eligible students with special needs. Elementary students may take TAKS tests in Spanish.
TAKS tests consist mainly of multiple choice questions. The writing test and high school reading and ELA tests also include short essay questions.
TAKS provides a uniform way to evaluate some aspects of student learning and achievement. It also helps teachers and administrators tailor classroom activities and curricula to state standards. Finally, TAKS is a key factor in the Texas Education Association's (TEA) accountability system, in which the TEA issues annual performance ratings for public schools and districts statewide.
Most TAKS tests take place in March and April to evaluate students on what they have learned during the current school year. Retests in various subjects are offered from May through July, and exit level retests are also offered in the fall. The TEA releases TAK scores to districts and schools, which are required to inform students of their results by a specified date, usually within a month of the test.
In 2007, end-of-course (EOC) assessments began replacing TAKS at the high school level. EOC assessments will be mandatory for students entering ninth grade in fall 2011 or later.