Contact: Michael L. Warden, (512) 499-4363

Date: March 24, 2006

UT System News Release

Website Prepares 11th Graders for TAKS

AUSTIN - In the weeks after spring break, students and teachers across Texas are gearing up for the remainder of the 11th grade exit-level TAKS tests. A free Internet-based resource is available to help students prepare.

The TRACK – TAKS Readiness and Core Knowledge – website, www.track.uttelecampus.org, was developed and is hosted by the University of Texas System. Last year more than 65,000 Texas students accessed TRACK to help prepare for the TAKS tests. The website has received over 31 million hits since last August.

Students may use TRACK to take diagnostics in any of the four subjects tested on the TAKS tests. Scoring is immediate and results will indicate which subject areas and student learning objectives need further study. Students may then access hundreds of learning tutorials from the various subject areas.

All of TRACK’s learning materials have been reviewed for accuracy and relevance by subject matter experts. Across the state, UT institutions conduct groundbreaking educational research to improve teaching methods and results for Texas students.

“TRACK is an important part of the UT System’s continuing commitment to help Texas public school students succeed,” said Chancellor Mark G. Yudof. “We are delighted that so many students use it and find it helpful.”

TRACK is administered by The University of Texas System Institute for Public School Initiatives and the UT TeleCampus, and is made possible by grants from Houston Endowment and the Meadows Foundation.

The UT System is one of the nation's largest higher education systems with 15 campuses, including nine academic and six health institutions, and an annual operating budget of $9.6 billion (FY 2006). Student enrollment exceeds 184,000 in the 2005 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of Texas health care professionals. With more than 76,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in Texas.

Texas Education Agency student assessment website:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/index.html

Student Assessment Division master testing schedule: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/admin/calendar/