Low Performance on High-Stakes Test Drives Special Education Referrals: A Texas Survey

The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is a classic example of the high-stakes test." Campus and district ratings, student graduation, and accreditation investigations are tied to this test. Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, this test was renamed the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS (TeThe Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is a classic example of the high-stakes test" (Gordon and Reese 1997, 347). Campus and district ratings, student graduation, and accreditation investigations are tied to this test (Texas Legislature Online 2001). Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, this test was renamed the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) (Texas Education Agency 2003). Along with the new name came even higher stakes. Third graders who did not pass the reading section of the TAKS were required by state statute to be retained (Texas Education Agency 2001). There are, however, exceptions to this rule. One of those exceptions applies to students receiving special education services. Along with the new name came even higher stakes. Third graders who did not pass the reading section of the TAKS were required by state statute to be retained. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. One of those exceptions applies to students receiving special education services