Transition from STAAR to TAKS causes stress for students, staff

By Lance McCaskey Staff Writer This year, incoming freshmen will no longer take the one test that every administrator, teacher and student in Texas knows -the TAKS test. The Texas Education Agency has decided that the class of 2015 will be the first class to take the STAAR instead of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. “This years freshmen will take only the STAAR/EOC tests,” CHS associate principal Michelle Kellen, said. “They will be required to take 12 tests [in high school], pretty much over the major subjects like Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These tests are designed to be more rigorous and challenging than the TAKS test. They also…

TAKS score uncertainty spreads among students

Michelle Pitcher Opinions Editor The official 2011 TAKS scores will be available for underclassmen this Thursday and Friday during all lunches. Students must present a photo ID in order to receive their scores. Teachers of core classes have access to unofficial scores for their respective tests, but until the official scores are received, no student can be officially exempt. It is important that students not forget that all criteria regarding exemptions must be met in order to receive credit for that exam. The requirements are (class-by-class basis): A grade of 85% or above Three or less absences, four or less tardies For subjects in which a TAKS test was administered, students must receive a passing…

National Pretzel Day celebrated quietly

Ashley Attanucci Web Manager All around the nation, Americans are celebrating National Pretzel Day, enjoying free soft pretzels being handed out from a number of franchises. Today- April 26, 2011- at Coppell High School, despite the solemn TAKS atmosphere, students and faculty celebrate this national holiday with (free) Snyder’s of Hanover mini pretzels. Teachers handed out bags of these 100 calorie packs to sustain testers throughout the first half of the day. To learn more about this national holiday or the history of the soft pretzel, entertain yourself here.

TAKS Week finally arrives

Beth Anne Carroll Staff Writer The week that underclassmen dread and the seniors celebrate is finally here. TAKS week has arrived in Coppell. TAKS testing will be held Tuesday through Thursday this week. Tuesday will be testing for the sophomores, while Wednesday will be testing for Juniors. Thursday, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will all have testing, while seniors have late arrival. Friday will be testing for Sophomores and Juniors. A full TAKS schedule can be found under bell schedules on the Coppell High School website. Remember to be prepared and try your best on these tests because these results are part of exemption and graduation standards. You can find test taking tips here. Good luck…

EOC soon replacing TAKS test

Kara Adkins Staff Writer It must be the time of year every student dreads. It begins with teachers giving the annual speech about eating a good breakfast and being well rested and ends with five hours in a classroom; it must be TAKS week. But for incoming freshman next year they will not get to experience TAKS week, for it will no longer be given out to students. Instead it will be replaced with an End of Course Exam in order to test students over their knowledge in their core subjects. In 2007 Senate Bill 1031 was enacted, which began the development of the EOC. This test will be given in Algebra I and II,…

Juniors TAKS scores a no show

By Henna Khan Staff Writer/Photographer During the daily announcements on Monday, May 24 freshmen, sophomores and juniors were given special news regarding their TAKS scores. All underclassmen were instructed to have a photo I.D. ready during all lunches to pick up scores on Tuesday, May 25. Just like when prom tickets went on sale or when AP registration was taking a place, the cafeteria was an absolute mad house, as students frantically waited to recieve the “golden ticket” that revealed TAKS scores. Several juniors waited in line, but there seemed to be no sign labeled “11th grade” on the wall. Clearly there was a problem. Looking at each other with confusion and escalating anger, assisstant…

TAKS week schedules

By Rebecca Fowler Staff Writer TAKS is quickly approaching. For seniors, this means a week of sleeping in and ten minute passing periods, but for freshman, sophomores and juniors, April 27-30 is not so enjoyable. The science, social studies, math and reading TAKS tests will take place next week. The bell schedules are different each day, and this is important for students arriving late. Here is the schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Good luck testing, CHS!

Sustainability Expo class registration open

Satvika Ananth Staff Writer As CHS gears up for TAKS week, students can look forward to a relaxing Friday after three days of testing, when the AP Environmental Science classes will be hosting the Sustainability Expo. Sign-ups for classes are now available online. Students can also enter the website through their fourth period on Blackboard, and sign-ups are available through April 22. Enrollment is a quick and easy process, allowing students to merely click on the courses they are interested in after reading brief descriptions of each session. Classes range from a gardening experience at the Coppell Library to contemplating nature and doing yoga. The classes are hosted by teachers and students in groups on…

First TAKS test of the year on March 3

By Amanda Peck Staff Writer On Wednesday March 3, freshman, sophomores and juniors will take the Reading/ELA TAKS test. Seniors do not have to come to school until noon, which is when fourth period will begin. Testing starts at 8:20 a.m. and will go until fourth period, but if students have not finished, they will be given the chance to complete the test in an overflow room. The schedule for the rest of the afternoon will be fourth through seventh period, each period lasting approximately 40 minutes. Lunches will follow the regular schedule, just at different times. Good luck underclassmen on the first TAKS test of this year. Seniors enjoy sleeping in! For the March…