REVISED 7/2009

Frequently Asked Questions

STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting)

 

  1. Are students required to participate in a Mandatory School Assessment?

Parents sign an Assessment Confirmation Form when they enroll and annually thereafter stating that their student will participate in all required assessments. They understand, when signing the form that they will participate in the Mandatory School Assessment (which can be waived if the student participates in the Mandated STAR).

 

  1. Where do students take the STAR tests?· 

Students are assigned to a test site by the Assessment Department based upon their physical address. Special circumstances requiring their test site to be changed must be discussed with ES and their request indicated in the comments field on the assessment layout in FRED .

 

  1. What grades have an additional writing exam as a part of STAR testing? 

Grades 4 and 7 have a separate, additional exam date for a writing portion of STAR testing. Please check your school calendar for specific dates

 

  1. When is STAR Testing? 

Dates for the grades 2-11 multiple choice portion of the test are within the state mandated test window. Please check your school calendar for the test window,  and your specific test site schedules for specific dates and times as they become available.

 

  1. Can my student test at a different grade level than they are in?

Students must test at the grade level indicated on their student agreement. There is no out of level testing allowed.

 

  1. What does my student need to bring to testing?

Student will need to bring a lunch, snacks, water, and a book to keep them occupied if they finish earlier than other students. No electronic devices such as game boys, IPods, etc. are allowed.

 

  1. When are the scores available? 

Individual test scores are confidential and are mailed directly to the parent/student usually in mid- August, after they are received by CWCS.

A copy of the scores are placed in the students cume file and also entered into the school’s database which is accessible only by the student’s ES and school administration.

Scores collected by the State are aggregates, merged into group grade level reports by subject. Individual scores are confidential and are not collected by the State.

 

  1. Where can I find additional resources ?

STAR study resources can be found online at the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp

 

  1. Which Subjects are tested per Grade ?

See Subjects per Grade Level chart online