Introduction
The State Board of Education decided to use Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as a guideline for establishing curriculum for the schools. TEKS as an educational framework covers English language, Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, International Linguistic Skills, Healthcare, Physical Training, Entrepreneurial Economics, and Technology. Additionally, Developmental and Technical Sciences are covered under the program as well. The grade span of the standards covers the classes from 1 to 12. Following section compares the results of Grade 8 in abovementioned array of subjects.
Method of Evaluation
The students learn TEKS throughout the year, and then, they are subjected to a test known as State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. The exam is a criterion base assessment method that evaluates the learning of the pupils in an objective manner. Total number of students tested was 4039. All of them belonged to grade 8. The target subjects of the assessments are Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. The students who exhibited satisfactory performances in English were 3,345 while, only 688 attained higher marks in the examination. 694 did not pass the test. Hispanic, Indians, Asians, Blacks, Pacific Islanders, Whites and Mixed Races were 2,028, 19, 127, 680, 8, 1,099, and 58 in number respectively.
Frequency Distribution
The total students appeared in the test of Mathematics were 4037. 3277 of the sample demonstrated mediocre performance, and 902 achieved higher ground. 760 pupils failed to pass the test. Hispanic, Indians, Asians, Blacks, Pacific Islanders, Whites and Mixed Races were 441, 3.16, 166, 0, 261 and 14 respectively. The students appeared in the exams of social studies were 4038 in number. 3461 of them scored lower average in the test while, 1014 were at higher grounds. 577 students did not pass the test. The racial identities were divided as 2028, 19, 127, 680, 8, 1099, and 58 accordingly (STAAR Alternate 2 Statewide Summary Report - Grade 8 2015).
In Science, 4037 appeared. 3696 of them scored lowly whereas, 1100 of them were high in their performance. 341 failed. The racial distribution of the sample was 2028, 19, 127, 680, 8, 1098, and 58 correspondingly. In reading, Hispanics were leading the show as 348 students from the racial group ended up in high performance class. The Whites are trailing by volume of 175. In the discipline of Mathematics, 441 students belonging from Hispanic group scored distinguished marks whereas, 261 pupils from Pacific Region occupied the second place in this regard. In the area of social studies, Hispanics led the way by having 512 students in the elite class. Again, the whites were in the second place with 269 pupils in the toppers. In Science, Hispanics won by having 533 students as accomplished students whereas, islanders ended up second with the figure of 334 (STAAR Alternate 2 Statewide Summary Report - Grade 8 2015)..
Irving Independent School District
The Irving School District’s performance in the subjects of Mathematics, Reading, Social Studies and Science can be characterized as low average. The academic achievement of the students can be identified as satisfactory in nature. The students are given counseling services, I they do not exhibit praiseworthy performance for three consecutive periods. The school can invite the parents of the struggling student in order to discuss future of the individual in question. The economically disturbed households can also apply for scholarships those will help their children to survive through years of schooling.
References
(2015, July 15). Retrieved from Homefacts.com .
Education Board of Texas (2015). STAAR Alternate 2 Statewide Summary Report - Grade 8 STAAR Alternate 2 Statewide Summary Report - Grade 8. Texas: State of Texas .
