Analysis of the 1998 TAAS Data at the Objective Level

Our analysis of the 1998 TAAS data at the objective level for each subject reveals many areas where our students experience serious difficulty. In the summary below we noted each TAAS objective where fewer than sixty (60) percent of the students at a grade level mastered the objective. These objectives include:

Subject Objectives	Grade Level(s)
Mathematics
Concepts
1. Number Concepts, esp. fractions	5, Exit
2. Algebraic Relations	Exit
3. Geometric Relations	None
4. Measurement	7, Exit
5. Probability and Statistics	None
Operations
6. Addition	6
7. Subtraction, esp. decimals	None
8. Multiplication	Exit
9. Division	6, 7, 8
Problem Solving
10. Estimation	3,4
11. Solution Strategies	6, 7, 8, Exit
12. Mathematical Representation	6, 7, 8
13. Reasonableness	5, 6, 7, 8
Reading
1. Word Meaning	5, 6
2. Supporting Ideas	None
3. Summarization	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
4. Relationship and Outcomes	4, 6
5. Inferences and Generalizations	6, 7, 8, Exit
6. Point of View, Fact/Nonfact	5, 6, 8
Writing
1. - 4. Writing Sample	4, 8, Exit
5. Sentence Construction	8
6. English Usage	None
7. Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation	4, 8, Exit

While our students experience difficulty in a large number of areas, we made steady progress during the past two years in improving mastery of most of the mathematics, reading, and writing objectives.* A deeper analysis of our TAAS objective findings indicates that our students have the greatest difficulty in mathematics when asked questions involving solution strategies, reasonableness, and solving problems. In reading, summarization, inferences, and point of view are the greatest areas of difficulty. In writing, the writing sample and spelling, capitalization, and punctuation continue to be areas of concern. These areas are, therefore, priorities in which we must have improvement in student performance and must learn to address more successfully.

*The number of subject area objectives which were not mastered at the 60% level declined from 75 in 1997 to 42 in 1998.

Disaggregated TAAS Data by Subgroups