By Cristin Ross
cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Preliminary numbers have been crunched and it looks like Alto Independent School District students earned an “acceptable” district rating for their TAKS scores this year.
“We’re still waiting on the state to break down scores for sub-groups, but overall, it looks like all our students did pretty well,” AISD Superintendent Ray DeSpain said.
According to the Texas Education Agency’s Web site, the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test measures the statewide curriculum in reading at grades three to nine; in writing at grades four and seven; in English Language Arts at grades 10 and 11; in mathematics at grades three through 11; in science at grades five, 10 and 11; and social studies at grades eight, 10, and 11.
Satisfactory performance on the TAKS at grade 11 is prerequisite to a high school diploma. The test was mandated in 1999 by the 76th Texas Legislature and started being administered to students in the 2002-2003 school year.
At the elementary level, 83 percent of Alto third- and fourth-graders passed the reading portion of the test. Seventy-nine percent passed math and 85 percent passed the writing part this year.
Ninety-seven percent of Alto Middle School students — fifth through eighth grades — passed the reading portion of the test. In social studies and math, 83 and 84 percent passed, respectively. And 71 percent of Alto’s Middle School students passed the science tests.
On the high school campus, 93 percent passed social studies; 85 percent passed English/language arts; 76 percent passed science; and 63 percent passed math.
Wells Independent School District Superintendent Dale Morton said he’s still waiting on some of his district’s preliminary scores, but from what he does have, it looks like Wells students have improved dramatically over last year.
“It looks like we’re right on the cusp between an “acceptable” and a “recognized” rating,” Morton said. “And since we were “unacceptable” last year, we’re pretty excited about that.”
Local News
Alto, Wells school districts show increases on TAKS
- Local News
-
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
The school year is wrapping up, and summer is almost here, but officials have some holiday safety tips to ensure the Memorial Day weekend is safe and fun for everyone.
-
Street blocked for sewer work
A portion of Bolton Street was blocked off Thursday as public works crews worked to find the source of a sewer stoppage.
-
Fourth-graders give scholarships, learn about college
As Tomato Fest approaches, officials with West Side Elementary school will have a booth to raise money for their West Side Elementary Alumni Scholarship given to graduating seniors.
-
Bullard council tables website decision
The Bullard city council tabled a decision on moving forward on a project for a new website design due to a lack of information.
-
LMC employees receive furlough notice
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday.
-
JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects
Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.
-
Rusk ISD lunch prices to rise 25 cents
A rise in school lunch prices is among several changes slated for Rusk ISD cafeterias.
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend

