Relationship between academic background and success on the science TAKS test

CHED 1600

Kristin M. Sherman, kristinsherman1@att.net and Diana Mason, dmason@unt.edu. Department of Chemistry, University Of North Texas, 4490 W. Eldorado Parkway, Apt 1128, McKinney, TX 75070
No Child Left Behind mandates states show that students are proficient in the four core academic areas: English, mathematics, science and social studies. Texas implements that law through the use of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test in these subjects. In order to graduate from high school, students must pass all four TAKS tests. The purpose of this study is to compare high school academic background in English, mathematics, and science to success on the 10th and exit level science TAKS test, in both passing the test and commended achievement. McKinney High School, in McKinney, Texas is used for this study. Student completion of courses and the course load are correlated to the student passing the TAKS test and to achieving commended status. This presentation will discuss the results of this study and implications for chemistry teachers, decision makers, and policy makers across the nation.