TAKS Writing Assessments
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TAKS measures a student’s mastery of the state-mandated curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). TEA administers the English language arts (ELA) TAKS as an exit-level assessment.
To view all TAKS resources, visit the TAKS Resources webpage.
Rubrics
TEA scores TAKS compositions on a four-point scale, with one being the lowest score and four being the highest. We base the rubric on five criteria—focus and coherence, organization, development of ideas, voice, and conventions. We consider each of the criteria equally in the scoring of each composition. We use the same writing rubric will to evaluate TAKS compositions at all grades assessed: Grade 4 English, Grade 4 Spanish, Grade 7, Grade 10, and Grade 11 Exit Level. In all cases, the testing contractor trains scorers to consider the criteria listed in the rubric in a way that is grade-level appropriate.
Grade 4 English, Grade 7, Grade 10, and Grade 11 Exit Level (PDF)
TAKS Compositions—Examples of Good Writing
TEA provides sample compositions to help deepen your understanding of the rubric and the variety of approaches that students can take while responding to a TAKS prompt. We have changed names and other identifying information in the compositions to protect the identity of the student writers.
Scoring Guides
You can find written composition scoring guides from released tests on the Released TAKS Tests webpage.
Related Resources
Use the link below to access additional TAKS resources.
For additional information, contact:
Student Assessment Division
1701 North Congress Avenue, Room 3-122A
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-9536
writing.test@tea.texas.gov