Assessments

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests: 

These tests are developed by the College Board and cost approximately $86 per test.  Danbury High School pays the examination fee for all AP students taking the exam.  Only AP tests are administered for which a course is offered.  Teachers who teach AP courses attend specialized training.  Students who score a three (3) or better can usually receive college credit for the course.  Students should check with their counselor to see if the college or university they plan to attend will accept AP scores for college credit.  An annual report of AP testing is provided to each campus that participates.  

American College Test (ACT): 

Credit by Exam (CBE):

Students enrolled in grades K – 12 with previous instruction in the course requested are eligible to gain credit by such examination if they received at least a full semester of instruction in that course and score at least 80% on the exam.  Written parent/guardian approval and school district representative recommendation are also required.  On approval of the Attendance Review Committee (ARC), a student who has excessive absences may be permitted to earn or regain course credit lost due to absenteeism.  Credit by Examination shall not be used to gain eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities but the grade does figure into grade point average (GPA).  Exams are ordered through Texas Tech University or The University of Texas. Further information is available through campus counselors.

End of Course / STAAR Exams: 

In 2007, Senate Bill 1031 was passed, which called for the development of “end-of-course assessment instruments for secondary-level courses in Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history and United States history.” The purpose of the end-of-course (EOC) assessments is to measure students’ academic performance in core high school courses and to become part of the graduation requirements beginning with the freshman class of 2011–2012. 

In 2013, House Bill 5, changed the requirement for End of Course Exams, effective in the 2013-2014 school year.  The End of Course required assessment instruments for secondary-level courses are Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and US History.

In spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

The STAAR program includes annual assessments for

• ELAR and Mathematics, grades 3–8
• Science at grades 5 and 8
• Social Studies at grade 8
• End-of-course assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S History.

Beginning in 2016, TEA will voluntarily administer STAAR EOC assessments for English III and Algebra II.

Examination for Acceleration: 

Districts are required by state law to provide this testing.  Students enrolled in grades K-12 with no previous instruction in the courses requested are eligible.  A minimum score of 90% is required for passing.  Additionally, written parental approval and school district recommendation is required.  Costs associated with this testing are a district expense even though parents are required to make a refundable deposit prior to ordering the tests.  If a student fails to show up for the testing, the deposit is not refunded.  Any score for which credit is awarded will be recorded on the academic achievement record but no grade points will be awarded.  Examinations are secured through Texas Tech University or The University of Texas, which also provides study guides.  These guides can be obtained from Texas Tech University web site at http://www.dce.ttu.edu. or by phone 1-800-MY-COURSE (800-692-6877); study guides are also available at

The University of Texas web site at http://www.utexas.edu/ce/k16/cbe-ea/study-guides/ for tests purchased from that agency .  If no credit is awarded, nothing will be recorded.  More information regarding this testing is available in the DISD Credit By Exam Handbook found in each counselor's office, at the Curriculum and Instruction Department at the DISD Central Office, or on the district web site.    

Field Testing: 

Texas Education Agency (TEA) student assessment division annually conducts field tests on required State assessments.  Districts and classes are randomly selected and participation is mandatory.  Scores for participating districts, schools, or students are not reported.  

FITNESSGRAM:  

FITNESSGRAM is a health-related fitness assessment tool for grades K-12. It uses criterion-referenced standards called the Healthy Fitness Zones which are based on age and gender and represent the basic levels for good health and fitness in children ages 5 - 17 years.  Students are tested in grades 3-12 using FITNESSGRAM. 

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT): 

This test is administered to all grade 10 students and the top ten grade 11 students at Danbury High School expense.  The test is developed by the College Board and is considered to be a practice test for the SAT.  National merit scholars in grade 11 are identified using the PSAT scores.  Individual student and campus reports are provided.    

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 

This is one of two nationally accepted college admissions test and is published and scored by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  Students should check with their counselor to make sure the college or university they plan on attending accepts this test for admissions.  Students must register for this test and pay a fee.  Danbury High School is not a testing site, so students must register to test at another site as listed in the College Board SAT Registration materials.  Registration deadlines must be met and no refunds are available.  Individual and campus reports are provided and national, state, and regional comparisons are available.  Students’ annual performance on this test is figured in the supplemental indicator on the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) and on the School Report Card.  To receive acknowledgement fifty percent of the students taking a college admissions test must score 1110.  Students’ scores on this test do not affect a campus rating.

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS):  

This system is used for every English Language Learner (ELL student) in Texas as a method to gauge their English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

TSIA (Texas Success Initiative Assessment):

The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative enacted by the Texas State Legislature and designed to determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. The TSIA, or one of its exemptions, has been required of Texas students entering a Texas college or university for nearly ten years. The TSIA is administered through the College Board’s Accuplacer digital platform. Universities, community colleges, school districts and high school campuses can request to administer the TSIA to students.