Background

• How the TAAS is created.
• Why does the test exist, and what is the politics involved in creation, administration, and financial support to the TAAS/TEKS?
• Who are the Texas Educators involved in writing the TAAS, and what groups do they represent?
• Besides Texas educators, who else is involved in writing the TAAS?
• Who creates the TEKS standards?

Answers to these questions help to explain the background, the foundation of the test. Questions on how the TAAS is created and who creates the TEKS are important in understanding how this high risk test is treated.

Once you have this background we suggest you read about the reliability and validity of the TAAS, information on standardized tests and alternatives. This information can be found in the section called "Evaluating the Research."