Teachers and students alike are breathing a sigh of relief as the 2007-08 school year winds down to a close. Scores have been received from the spring round of TAKS testing, and while this has some upset, others are quite satisfied. By now your students should know whether they have passed. In grades 3, 5 and 8 all students must pass TAKS in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Some parents might ask what is the point at these grades levels of holding them back. Students must have certain basic skills in order to move ahead successfully. It only harms the student if they are socially promoted without having the required knowledge necessary for success in the next grade level. Is the TAKS test the right solution to this problem? Perhaps not, but it is the test required by our state. Until the Texas Legislature comes up with something different, we’re bound to administer this one!