A Parents Guide to STAR

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A Parents Guide to STAR
Spring 2008 Standardized Testing and Reporting S
TAR Program
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Assessment Achievement Act Established by SB 376
in 1997
Single state system to assess standards mastery
Annual assessment for all students in grades 2-11
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Standardized Testing and ReportingSTAR
   Survey California Achievement Test, Sixth
Edition (Grades 3 7) California Standards Tes
ts (CST) California English Language Developmen
t Test (CELDT) California Alternative Performan
ce Assessment (CAPA)
California High School Academic Exit Examination
(CAHSEE) Early Assessment Program (EAP) Asse
ssments in Career Education
Physical Fitness
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The CAT6 administered in California

• Was administered in grades three and seven only
  and used for federal No Child Left Behind
  purposes only.
  
• Is a Survey test not appropriate for
  instructional planning.
  
• Individual growth can no longer be measured by
  this instrument from year to year.
  
• Assesses basic skills only for group analysis of
  strengths and needs.

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California Standards Tests

• CST

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Federal/State Requirement 2 Criterion
referenced testWhat is a criterion referenced
test?
Measures student proficiency levels by a set of
rigorous California standards.
Advanced Proficient __________________ Basic B
elow Basic Far Below Basic
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What do the California Standards Tests cover?

• Reading (2-11)
• Language Arts (2-11)
• Mathematics (2-11)
• Writing Sample (4 7)
• Social Studies (8, 10 11)
• Science (5 and end of course tests)

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What are the End of Course Examinations?

• General Math (K-7)
• Administered to grades 8 9 students who have
  not yet taken Algebra 1
  
• Algebra 1
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• Summative High School Math

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Physics

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Standards Focus

• California standards are very rigorous.
• San Marinos standards meet, and in many cases
  exceed California Standards.
  
• Proficiency levels are determined by the
  California Department of Education.
  
• Norm referenced tests are far less important than
  the proficiency levels assessments.

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Making Comparisons

• Appropriate
• Scale scores for your childs grade level only.
• Percentage of students scoring at each
  performance level.

• Not Appropriate
• Scale scores across grade levels.
• Over-generalizing the reported proficiency
  level.
  

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How does my child compare?Spring 2008
English/Language Arts California Standards
TestsPercent of Students Reported Proficiency
Level
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How does my child compare? Writing Sample Test
California Standards Tests Percent of Students
Reported Proficiency Level
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How does my child compare? Math California Stand
ards TestsPercent of Students Reported
Proficiency Level
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How does my child compare? Grade 4 Writing Sa
mple California Standards TestsPercent of
Students Reported Proficiency Level
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Did the test include items that my child has not
been taught?

• Items are selected to cover the grade level
  curriculum from state standards.
  
• It is likely there will be a few items the
  child has not been officially taught.
  
• One third of the items are changed each year to
  reflect different standards over time.

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Tips for Parents

• Interpret results in context of overall
  performance.
  
• Talk to your child without exerting unhealthy
  pressure which may cause test anxiety and/or
  undue stress.
  
• Insure plenty of rest, a good breakfast, and a
  stress free morning prior to the test session.

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Talk with your child.

• Emphasize confidentiality of test results.
• Place the results in perspective.
• Talk in general terms of performance level.
• Develop a plan with the teacher to work
  together on areas of need.
  
• Dont reward or punish for results.

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Tips for Students

• Relax
• Listen
• Plan time.
• Listen to directions.
• Read items carefully.
• Mark in the correct space on the answer sheet.

• Trust instincts.
• If unsure of how to answer, eliminate answer
  choices that are surely wrong.
  
• Keep positive.
• Concentrate on doing a personal best.

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BE SURE TO REMEMBER!

• Testing is only one source of information
• CAT 6 and CST have different purposes
• CAT 6 no longer is a strongly valid measure for
  individual children.
  
• Teach your child to positively view the results
  as a way to learn about what is strong and what
  needs work.
  
• It is best NOT to promise/give rewards or
  sanctions for test scores.

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Student and Parent Information
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Grade 5 Sample
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Strengths and Needs Grade 7 Sample
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Helpful Definitions
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California Reading List
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CAT 6 Sample
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For other grades....
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Resources
For the California Standards Tests Results for
all students... Go to http//www.san-marino.k12.c
a.us Tap schools and academics Tap Accountabi
lity Results will be posted on Wednesday, Septem
ber 15, 2007. California Standards Web site htt
p//www.cde.ca.gov/standards/ California Readin
g List and other Resources http//star.cde.ca.gov
Tap Standardized Testing and Reporting Tap P
rogram Resources Blueprints Sample Items Guide
s for the Writing Tests
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THANK YOU FOR COMING!