Only the scores from the ACT, SAT, and TAAS can be used to exempt a student from the TASP test. Each time a secondary exit-level assessment instrument is administered, a student who has not been given a high school diploma because of a failure to perform satisfactorily on the assessment instrument for that subject area may retake the assessment instrument. The TAAS tests must be administered on the specific dates scheduled by the commissioner of education. During this time, a school district may conduct multiple test sessions. If materials are not available during the two-week window, the district may administer a released version of the test for local purposes.
Districts are responsible for verifying that a student has met testing requirements for graduation.
For example, a student passing the Algebra I examination in grade 8, the Biology examination in grade 9, and the English II examination in December of grade 10 will have met the testing requirement for graduation by the spring grade 10 TAAS administration date. Therefore, this student could be credited as a TAAS passer for accountability purposes. In addition to the statutory requirement, there is a need for results reported and used in the accountability system to be consistent from school to school, and district to district, and not be dependent on individual school district policies. Since the accountability system only uses results from the spring administration of the 10th grade exit level TAAS, students may seek the TASP exemption via TAAS at a subsequent administration of the exit-level test and not affect the ratings results of the district or campus. Students may also obtain the TASP exemption through meeting performance standards on ACT or SAT I college admissions tests.