Visit Mesquite's Teen Website to find community service opportunities, employment, special events, photo galleries, and more.

The state requirements of the Student Success Initiative (SSI) have been in effect with entering kindergarten students beginning in 1999 to ensure an overall system of support for student academic achievement. It includes local assessment, additional accelerated instruction and state assessment in the areas of reading and math. In addition to local requirements for promotion, there are also state requirements that must be met in third, fifth, and eighth grades.

Beginning in 2002-2003, students in third grade had to pass the state reading TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) to be promoted to fourth grade.

Beginning in 2004-2005, students in fifth grade had to pass both the reading and math TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) to be promoted to sixth grade.

Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, students in eighth grade must pass both the reading and math TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) to be promoted to ninth grade.

As in the prior SSI third and fifth grade requirements, these same procedures will be followed for eighth grade:
_ If a student does not pass the required TAKS reading and math tests on the first testing opportunity, additional accelerated instruction to strengthen reading and/or math skills will be provided through your child’s school.
_ A second testing opportunity for the reading and/or math TAKS will be provided followed by additional reading and/or math instruction to strengthen the skills of the students who do not pass the reading and/or math tests the second time.
_ The third and final testing opportunity will be provided during summer school. If the student does not pass the reading and/or math portions of TAKS on the third testing opportunity, the student will automatically be retained.

It is critical to communicate regularly with your child’s teachers throughout the school year to help your child succeed. For more detailed information about state requirements, please contact Ms. Gallegos, your child's principal.