T.A.K.S. Results Released

T.A.K.S. test results are being released to the school district and as preparations get underway for high school graduation, many students will be walking the stage. However at least 20 will not because they didn't pass the test. KSAN's Jason Calder spoke with Dr. Carol Ann Bonds about the results and has more.

T.A.K.S. testing is over and the results are coming in as to how many S.A.I.S.D. students will walk across the stage this year.

Dr. Carol Ann Bonds, S.A.I.S.D. Superintendent, said,  "It is a tribute to the staff in this school district that we have a far fewer number of young people that have not quite met their requirements."

Bonds said out of 900-plus high school students in the district, there's only a small portion that didn't pass the test.

"There's approximately 23-25 students who have not, across our whole district, who have not yet passed one or more portions of T.A.K.S."

Those who didn't pass the T.A.K.S. test will be given another opportunity in hopes that they can receive their diploma before the end of summer.

"If a child has not passed all of their T.A.K.S. but has finished their class requirements, then they are able to walk across the stage and then they get other opportunities to take their T.A.K.S. They don't get their diploma until the summer after they have another shot in July of taking that test."

Some critics of the test say it's too hard. Dr. Bonds says the passing rate for the district is proof that students are well prepared and can pass with great success.

"This is a more difficult test than when in the 80s we started the state accountability system. This is not a minimum skills test and to have that few number of students out of between 900 and 1,000 who haven't quite gotten it is a great accomplishment."

These numbers are raw figures but they show the district continues to strive for ultimate success.