Texas 8th graders do well on state reading test

Ninety-two percent of Texas’ eighth-graders passed the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge of Skills (TAKS) on their first attempt earlier this month—the best showing yet in this class’s academic career of high-stakes testing. The 25,644 students statewide who failed the exam can retake it on April 30 and then again on July 2, if needed. Students who don’t pass on their third attempt face being forced to repeat the eighth grade for the first time in state history.

While high-stakes testing is new for middle schoolers, it’s old hat for this bunch of students. The class of 2012 was the first to face high-stakes testing as both third- and fifth-graders. Read more about the testing in The Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News.