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The results of the TAKS test for high school students recently showed a dramatic increase in scores for seniors over last year. Some believe that the education system here in Texas has finally found a formula that increases the student's ability to learn. Others however believe the increase is due to the tried and true formula of lowering the standards. Gov. Perry is using these results to show how much the system has advanced and how more students need the opportunity to attend U.T. Opening the guarantee admissions policy will just lower the school's standards as what happened to CUNY in the 70's

By mentioning the TAKS, you brought up a sore subject for me. I apologize in advance for the following rant.

I am not sure what improved TAKS test performance really represents. I know that students are permitted to use sophisticated graphing calculators while taking the math TAKS in some grade levels. From what I have seen from a recent math curriculum presentation by our local (Texas) school district, teachers are developing techniques to teach students to each of the specific TAKS question types without necessarily teaching them the material. What is also interesting is that some TAKS questions themselves even have visual cues that reflect some of these "techniques." (i.e. multiplying binomials by using "manipulative tiles" -- which is analogous to using marbles or beans to add and subtract).

How could this happen? The TAKS test was mandated by a conservative legislature for the purpose of making schools more educationally accountable and ending social promotion. Unfortunately, the test itself is written by the liberal Texas Education Authority (TEA). The way things have turned out, the public has very little control of how the TAKS questions are written. Even the elected Texas State Board of Education has no control or input on how the test is written. (All they can do is set the minimum numeric passing score).

A number of years ago when GW Bush was governor here, the Texas state school curriculum was greatly simplified to include a simple list of specific education goals for each grade and subject level. The idea here was to give local school districts the responsibility, authority, and flexibility to teach subjects in the manner the local districts thought best. I fear that the TEA is using the TAKS as a vehicle to force local districts to teach subjects according their own (think NEA) agenda. I also fear that the TEA is administering the test in a manner that will undermine its original intended purpose.