Congratulations to students, teachers, parents, and everyone included in TAKS testing last week! There were many people involved to make the week run smoothly. The secretaries in the offices had to be the best communicators in the district! The secretaries on all three campuses had to be aware of what subjects were testing, where students were located, and when classes would resume. They did a great job, as always, keeping the campuses running. The cafeteria staff did a great job accommodating testing needs and adjusting schedules and meals to help with the hectic week. There are many people to thank!

The biggest accolade needs to be given to our students and teachers. They have been focused on this week from day one of school! It could be May 25

Even though TAKS testing has concluded, San Saba ISD is in no way finished with business. All grades in English, K-12, are working on research topics or papers, depending on what grade they are enrolled. Ask your son or daughter what he/she is doing in English! There are twenty-one days of school left and it is so important to stay focused. There is much curriculum to cover. There are also End of Course Field Tests to take before the year ends in high school!! These results will be used to help prepare for the new assessment system.

The research component of school curriculum is critical. Being able to provide students the leadership to develop a question, search for data, and then communicate the findings is probably one of the most important and difficult things educators attempt. It is difficult to provide enough guidance and structure to feel like students are actually benefitting from researching a topic. How do we get students to think? How do we get students to find answers on their own? How do we get students to communicate what they have found? Mr. Wheeler, our Physics and Chemistry teacher, uses the student ownership and exploration theory in many lessons in his class. It is easy to walk by or just listen to him after class and recognize that students are responsible for searching and answering their own questions. He believes in student empowerment and ownership in learning. This is also the premise behind CSCOPE lessons. The idea is that if you get students involved in the learning with hands-on activities then hopefully they will take ownership in the learning. It is difficult for many to direct a structure that gives the students the ability to "freelance" without losing focus, but Mr. Wheeler does a great job! Mr. Wheeler does a great job communicating with students to provide this structure. Mr. Wheeler’s rapport and respect for students has provided these opportunities.

Communication is the key.

The month of May will really fly by with the number of activities planned! Pay attention to the website to see the events!

There will be a Title I Evaluation Meeting for the parents/guardians of students in San Saba ISD. The meeting will evaluate the program goals and budget. All parents are invited to attend. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10

Also:StateofTexas Academic Achievement Readiness tests will replace TAKS next year for 3

END OF COURSES TEST SCHEDULE

Monday, May 9

Tuesday, May 10

Wednesay May 11—Algebra II (field test/paper) 8:00 am in AA

Thursday, May 12—Algebra I (online) 8:00 am in AA

Monday, May 16

Tuesday, May 17

Wednesday, May 18

Thursday, May 19

The second test dates for 5

Tuesday, May 17

Wednesday, May 18

The last day of school is Friday, May 27

th before results are received, but the students really gave a great effort. th at 6:00pm in the high school cafeteria.rd-8th grade students. Students currently in high school will finish the TAKS tests because that was the state assessment when they entered high school. For all other students, STAAR exams will be the new state assessment. San Saba ISD had the opportunity to sign up for "practice" End of Course Exams in high school to gauge how prepared our student are currently. We will receive results for most of these exams, and we can use the results to identify areas to improve. The schedule is below for May 2011. th—World Geography (online) 1:00 pm in AAth –Physics (field test/paper) 8:00 am in AAth –Geometry (online) 8:00am in AAth-Chemistry (online) 1:00pm in AAth—Biology (online) 1:00pm in AAth –US History (online) 8:00am in AAth and 8th grade math and reading are: th- Math for 5th and 8th gradeth— Reading for 5th and 8th gradeth.