Walking the halls
By MERVIN CLEVELAND Principal of Jasper Junior High School

Greetings from Jasper Junior High School this 2008 spring semester. This "Walking the Halls" letter will focus on the upcoming TAKS tests that will be administered this semester. We have adopted the motto "Pass it the first time."

The pass or fail stipulation of the TAKS tests is nothing new to this year's eighth grade class. These students faced the same situation in the third and fifth grades when they had to pass both the TAKS math and reading test in order to be promoted to the next grade.

Now the time has come for them to do it one more time. The school is doing all it can to make it possible for our students to be successful on the TAKS tests. As always, we ask that you be a partner with us in encouraging your student to take the tests seriously and do well on each one. Eighth grade students will have three opportunities to show mastery of the minimum standards skills assessed on each test. We want them to "pass it the first time."

This year's TAKS tests will be given in intervals rather than all in one week. This will allow the students time to concentrate on one portion of the test without worrying about having to take another portion the next day.

The teachers have been giving benchmark and mock tests to assess the students' needs in order to help ensure success on the test. Additionally, some instructional strategies have been put in place to better serve our students. We ask that our parents join in with us to help keep the students focused so that when the first administration of the reading test is given on March 5 they will "pass it the first time." This will allow them to give complete concentration toward the math portion of the TAKS test. With your help, we will be victorious!!