The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) is a statewide assessment test mandated by Senate Bill 103 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999. Beginning with administration during the 2002-2003 school year, TAKS replaces TAAS testing program, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, adopted in 1990. TAKS represents the evolution of statewide student assessment testing in Texas that began in 1980 with TABS (Texas Assessment of Basic Skills, 1980 to 1984), continued with TEAMS (Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills, 1985 to 1989), and then continued with TAAS (1990 to 2002).

TAKS reflects the learning standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). As such, TAKS tests measure the performances of students with respect to the curriculum standards that have been adopted by the State of Texas in four general knowledge domains:

		English Language Arts			Science
		Mathematics			Social Studies

In contrast, the TAAS program measured performance in English Language Arts (i.e., Reading and Writing) and Mathematics to a more limited extent than TAKS. As a consequence, the 10th grade (exit level) TAAS tests were augmented with end-of-course examinations in English II, Algebra I (math), Biology, and U.S. History. During recent school years, students were required to pass the 10th Grade (exit level) TAAS exams or three end-of-course exams -- English II, Algebra I, and either the Biology or U.S. History end-of-course exam -- in order to receive a high school diploma. However, with the adoption of the more comprehensive TAKS program in 2002-2003, the TAAS and end-of-course tests are being phased out and, instead, students must achieve mastery on all four exit level TAKS tests, now taken near the end of the Grade 11 school year, in order to be eligible to receive a high school diploma.*

The consequential nature of TAKS renders it vitally important that students make every effort to prepare for the TAKS tests and perform to their best ability during the testing period.

For further background and overview information on the TAKS testing program from the Texas Education Agency, click here.

* Students who have been scheduled to graduate from high school in 2004 or earlier may fulfill the testing requirements in effect at the time they entered 9th grade. However, beginning with the class scheduled to graduate in Spring 2005, only the TAKS requirements apply.