TAKS scores presented to KISD board

Students in the third, fifth and eighth grade have completed the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and scores were reported to the Kilgore school board last night.

Jody Clements, newly-named interim superintendent of Kilgore ISD, told the board TAKS scores are now figured two ways, including one in which special education students scores are figured into the percentage. However, he said, the scores that include special education results are not counted on the reported scores as final results.

Clements said third grade, fifth grade and eighth grade students must pass both reading and math to move on to the next grade level. "Chandler School third graders received an 81 percent in reading, counting special education scores, and without special education the score was 84 percent," said Clements.

In fifth grade at Kilgore Intermediate School the score was 76 percent passing in reading including special education scores and 80 percent without.

At Maude Laird Middle School, 91 percent passed reading the TAKS test including the scored of special education students. Without those scores, 96 percent of eighth graders passed the test, according to Clements.

Clements said each of these campuses meet or exceed state standards in reading. "Just because a student does not pass the reading TAKS does not always mean that student will not go on to the next grade," said Clements. "A grade placement committee will evaluate the student's overall record and determine if it would be more appropriate to send the student on to the next grade and for that student to receive tutorials in that subject."

Clements said reading was the only subject tested. Math skills will be tested in a couple of weeks for these same students. At the end of April all students will be tested, including high school juniors, on all required subjects.

In 2007 Chandler Elementary School scored a 90 percent in reading, Kilgore Intermediate School scored a 90 percent and at Maude Laird Middle School the students scored a 90 percent.

The scores this year reflect on the first time the students got to take the test, they will be tested two more times to get the final score according to Clements.

At Leverett's Chapel ISD, 86 percent of third graders, 91 percent of fifth graders and 95 percent of eighth graders passed the test.