Pep rallies motivate students to do their best on TAKS

Wanda Nichols Photo GETTING FUNKY FOR TAKS -- BJHS Assistant Principal Stephanie Stevens (L) and Principal Yolanda Larkin lead students in the cha-cha slide during last Friday's TAKS Pep Rally held in the Final Curtain Players' auditorium.

Brownsboro ISD teachers will do just about anything to help their students become successful adults. Last Friday afternoon students at Brownsboro Junior High and Intermediate schools were treated to a talent show and pep rally in preparation for this week's TAKS testing.

Students at BJHS showcased their talents on the Final Curtain Players stage of the old auditorium. Adding to the fun was numerous teachers performing YMCA and Principal Yolanda Larkin and Assistant Principal Stephanie Stevens leading the students in the Cha-Cha slide.

"They really liked this one," Mrs. Larkin said. "They were in good spirits this year."

BISD Athletic Director John Settle spoke to the students about choices.

"Think about this," he said. "If you don't pass the TAKS, you don't graduate, and if you don't graduate, your choices are limited. Your most important objective is to pass the TAKS."

Wanda Nichols Photo GETTING PEPPED UP -- Brownsboro Intermediate teachers entertained and pumped up students with their rendition of YMCA - TAKSCAR style. Pictured: Jennifer Settle (L) BIS student support services, and Amy Wright, 4th grade math teacher, lead the way.

This week the seventh grade class is testing in math and reading, while the eighth graders are testing in four subjects - math, reading, science and social studies.

"The eighth grade test is very similar to the high school exit test," Mrs. Larkin said. "They get a very good idea of what's expected when they get to high school."

Next year's eighth graders must pass the TAKS in order to be promoted to ninth grade high school.

The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills - TAKS - is a primary and secondary education standardized test used in Texas to assess student attainment of math, English, science, reading and social studies required under Texas education standards.

The state sets the standards for schools to teach and TAKS holds schools accountable to meet those standards.

These learning standards will help ensure that all students meet the challenges ahead:

*Each student must become a more effective reader.

*Each student will have to know and apply more complex mathematics.

*Each student needs to develop a stronger understanding of science concepts, especially in biology, chemistry and physics.

*Each student must master social studies skills and content necessary to be a responsible adult citizen.

*Each student must master a wider range of technology.

"The state has us teaching what we test," Mrs. Larkin said. "TAKS is for accountability. We need to make sure our kids are really learning."

To succeed beyond high school, whether they continue on to college, or go right into the workforce, students must be better prepared now more than at any time in Texas history.

"Texas is big in industry and technology," Mrs. Larkin said. "Those businesses are looking for people who are highly qualified. We want to make our students a vital part of the workforce. We want them to understand the importance of how this affects the rest of their lives."

Using the "TAKSCAR" theme at Brownsboro Intermediate, skits were performed to encourage students to meet the TAKS challenge by studying, getting a good night's sleep, having a healthy breakfast, and checking their work before turning in their test.

The sixth grade band played a rousing rendition of Brownsboro ISD's fight song, the Gifted and Talented class performed a "TAKSCAR" skit, teachers performed everyone's favorite YMCA dance, races were held, fifth graders performed the cha-cha slide, and a hoop shooting contest was held all to pump up the students and get them excited about the test.

Fourth and sixth grade students are testing in math and reading, while fifth grade students test in math, reading and science.

On the high school level, ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students are testing in math, reading, science and social studies.

TAKS testing for the 2006-07 school year began in October with juniors taking their exits. Third grade students were tested for reading in February and are testing this week for math. Grades three, five and nine tested for reading in February, and grades four and seven tested for writing.

TAKS identifies what Texas students should know and be able to do at every grade and in every course in the foundation and enrichment areas as they move successfully through school.

Last year four BISD campuses were rated "recognized " TAKS rating by the Texas Education Agency. On August 1, 2006 Brownsboro Elementary and Intermediate, and Chandler Elementary and Intermediate schools each achieved the "recognized" status, giving the District an overall rating of "recognized."

The remaining three campuses, Brownsboro High, Junior High and ACES, (the alternative education campus), each received the "academically acceptable" rating.

The ratings awarded school districts and individual campuses are determined by the passing rates on the TAKS test.

Brownsboro ISD's "recognized " status is based on the cumulative campus results, and is the second best rating possible with the highest rating being "exemplary." Ratings below "recognized" in the four-level system are "academically acceptable," and "academically unacceptable. "