18 Jun 2009
Eighth-Grade Students to Re-take TAKS Mathematics Test on Tuesday, June 30
DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District has discovered testing irregularities involving the administration of the eighth-grade TAKS math test for approximately 400 students at Harold Lang Middle School. The irregularities were discovered by the district's Evaluation and Accountability department through a routine statistical analysis for testing anomalies. The issues were immediately reported to the Texas Education Agency and the district's Office of Professional Responsibility in order to begin an investigation.
The issues were first discovered within weeks of receiving the test results for the first administration. The district recommended retesting students during the second administration of the test in May. Texas Education Agency Assessment staff, however, felt that action was premature.
Once a preliminary report was completed, TEA called for the re-testing of eighth-grade Lang students to take place on Tuesday, June 30. The district is in the process of notifying parents and guardians that their child will need to re-take the test. The re-test is necessary because the eighth-grade test is a milestone tied to the Student Success Initiative. The preliminary report indicates that it does not appear that students were involved in the testing irregularities.
Testing will take place on Tuesday, June 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at Lang Middle School, except for Lang students who are currently attending summer school at J.L. Long Middle School, who will be tested at Long. Monitors from the Texas Education Agency and the district will be present during this administration.
"It is unfortunate that parents and students will be inconvenienced by this situation but the district and the Texas Education Agency are committed to maintaining the integrity of testing administration," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "We have worked closely with TEA from the outset of this situation and will continue to do so."
Transportation will be provided to students via the regular school bus schedule. Breakfast and lunch will also be available. Parents are urged to confirm their child's attendance by calling (972) 925-4668 by Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m. Individual students who are not available to re-take the test will be subject to a determination made by the campus-based grade placement committee regarding grade placement for the 2009-10 school year. Results of the retaken test are anticipated to be available to parents by the third week in July.
The first belief adopted by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees is: "We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy."
For a complete list of core beliefs, visit the Web site at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/vision.htm.