The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) is a problem-solving test, not a minimum-skills test. Because TAAS is the cornerstone of our state’s accountability system, people sometimes accuse RISD of “teaching the test.”
You bet we do! Students must master concepts and reasoning powers, not just regurgitate facts, to pass TAAS.
Businesses and industry want graduates who can solve problems. Two hundred Rotarians in affluent Lake Jackson, Texas, took the exit level TAAS and 60 percent failed.
Here are some actual test questions. Can you pass?
MATH
Jan wants to buy 3 yards of fabric at $3.59 per yard for a blouse. She also wants to buy 2 yards of a different fabric for a skirt. If she wants to keep her total cost before tax under $20, which inequality could Jan use to find the maximum price per yard, p, that she should pay for skirt fabric?
A. 2p – 3(3.59) < 20
B. (5 + p)(3.59) < 20
C. 5p + 3.59 > 20
D. 3(3.59) + 2p < 20
E. 3(3.59) + 2p > 20
The range of delivery rates for a package weighing 5 pounds or less is a minimum of $1.04 and a maximum of $3.29. If x represents the delivery rate, which sentence best expresses this range?
G. $1.04 > x > $3.29
H. $1.04 < x < $3.29
J. $3.29 < x < $1.04
K. $3.29 < x > $1.04
L. $1.04 < x < $3.29
READING
The sandwich, found today on lunch menus worldwide, was named for an 18th-century gambler, John Montague. He was England’s fourth Earl of Sandwich.
Select the appropriate answer.
M. The sandwich found today on lunch menus worldwide. It was named for an 18th-century gambler, John Montague.
N. The sandwich, found today on menus worldwide, and named for an 18-century gambler, John Montague.
P. The sandwich is found today on lunch menus worldwide, it was named for an 18th-century gambler, John Montague.
Q. Correct as is.
WRITING
Because of a shortage of money, your school board is considering eliminating the football program at your high school. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the president of your school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons. Explain your reasons in detail.
