Preliminary Spring 2009 TAKS Results Released to Schools
Newcastle Students Excel
May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18th, seemed like any other first day of the week to most folks. But, to the teachers and students of Newcastle School this has become one of the most exciting days of the school year. Monday the Texas Education Agency released their preliminary results for this school year’s TAKS tests (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) and once again the preliminary scores are outstanding for Newcastle students and teachers.
2009 Preliminary TAKS scores for Newcastle School indicate the following:
Reading/English Language Arts – 99% Met Standard; 35% Commended
Mathematics – 97% Met Standard; 49% Commended
Writing – 90% Met Standard; 11% Commended
Social Studies – 100% Met Standard; 56% Commended
Science – 96% Met Standard; 39% Commended
The TAKS tests assess grades three through eleven in the core subject areas of reading, English language arts, mathematics, writing, social studies and science. Last school year Newcastle students and teachers earned an exemplary rating from Texas Education Agency and was recognized for distinguished academic performance. Gordon Grubbs, Newcastle superintendent said, “I hate to admit this but I really had doubts that we could improve our TAKS scores from last year because we have over 20 new students this school year. The tests get harder every year and it’s just hard to improve when your scores are as high as our have been. Unbelievably, our overall school averages increased in every single area except writing. We pray that our subgroup averages in writing don’t prevent us from being rated exemplary again.”
