What is the STAR Program?
The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program is an important part of the state assessment system. Administered annually in the spring in grades two through eleven, the STAR Program was first authorized in 1997 and reauthorized until 2011 by state law (Education Code Section 60640). Tests in the STAR Program measure how well students in California public schools are learning the knowledge and skills identified in the California content standards. The STAR Program for 2008 includes six tests:
- The California Standards Tests (CSTs) measure the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science (for grades two through eleven).
- The California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition (CAT/6 Survey) measure the achievement of general academic knowledge in core subjects. These norm-referenced tests provide national comparisons (for grades three and seven only).
- The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) measures the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. This alternate assessment is for students who have significant cognitive disabilities and cannot take the CSTs even with accommodations or modifications (for grades two through eleven).
- The California Modified Assessment (CMA) measures the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. This assessment is for students with disabilities who meet CMA eligibility criteria approved by the State Board of Education (for grades three through five in 2008).
- The Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) measure the achievement of California content standards in reading-language arts and mathematics in Spanish. This assessment is for Spanish-speaking English learners (for grades two through seven in 2008).
- The Aprenda, La prueba de logros en español, Tercera edición (Aprenda 3) measures the achievement of general academic knowledge in Spanish. This norm-referenced test is for Spanish-speaking English learners (for grades eight through eleven in 2008).
Who takes the tests in the STAR Program?
All students in grades two through eleven participate in the STAR Program, including students with disabilities and students who are English learners. In addition to the tests administered in English, state law (Education Code Section 60640) requires all Spanish-speaking English learners to take the designated primary language test (DPLT) if:
- They receive instruction in Spanish (regardless of how long they have been in school in the United States), or
- They have been enrolled in a school in the United States for less than 12 months (cumulative).
At the option of the school district, schools also may test English learners who will have been in a United States school 12 months or more (cumulative) and who are not receiving instruction in Spanish. For spring 2008, the DPLT is the STS in grades two through seven and the Aprenda 3 in grades eight through eleven.
Only students whose parents or guardians have submitted written requests to exempt them from STAR Program testing do not take any of the STAR Program tests (Education Code Section 60615).
What is done to assist students with disabilities?
Some students with disabilities may require testing variations, accommodations, and/or modifications to be able to take the tests. These are listed in Matrix 1. Matrix of Test Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications for Administration of California Statewide Assessments (October 2007), which is available on the Student Testing Web page. A separate Matrix for the California Modified Assessment Test Variations and Accommodations for the 2008 Administration is available on the STAR Web page. The CMA does not allow for modifications because it is a modified test.
Test variations are allowed for any student who regularly uses them in the classroom. Accommodations and modifications must be specified in each student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. The IEPs for students with significant cognitive disabilities, who are unable to take the CSTs even with modifications, specify that they are to take the CAPA.
The IEPs for students with disabilities, who have been unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency* on the CSTs and other measures, may specify that the students take the CMA. Eligibility criteria, approved by the State Board of Education, are available on the STAR Web page. The IEPs for these students also are to identify the content area(s) to be tested with the CMA and which accommodations, if any, are to be used.
Will testing below a student’s grade be allowed for the spring 2008 administration?
No. Testing below a student’s grade is not allowed. All IEPs should be reviewed in every school district to ensure that any provision for testing below a student’s grade has been removed. All students are required to take the test for the grade in which they are enrolled.
What is done to assist students who are English learners?
During testing, English learners may use English-to-primary language translation glossaries or word lists that are regularly used in the classroom and do not include definitions or formulas. This assistance may be provided for all subjects except English-language arts on the CSTs and CMAs and may not be provided in any subject on the CAT/6 Survey. English learners may have test directions translated for them and ask clarifying questions in their primary language for all subjects tested on the CSTs, the CMAs, and the CAT/6 Survey. English learners also may be tested separately if such a setting is part of the regular classroom instruction or assessments. The variations allowed for English learners are listed in Matrix 2. Matrix of Test Variations for Administration of California Statewide Assessments for English Learners (October 2007), which is available on the Student Testing Web page.
When do parents or guardians get their student’s results?
Student STAR Program results must be provided to parents or guardians within 20 working days after the school district has received them from the testing contractor. STAR Program reports usually are mailed by the school district to each student’s home.
Can results from the STAR Program be used to determine if a student should be retained?
A school district may use STAR Program results to help make decisions about student placement, promotion, retention, or other considerations related to student achievement. These test scores should never be used by themselves to make such important decisions. School districts also should consider local assessments, classroom tests, grades, and teacher recommendations in making these decisions.
Note: Parents or guardians should be reminded that the students’ results are confidential and maintained only by the school district.
Can parents or guardians excuse their student from the tests in the STAR Program?
Yes. State law (Education Code Section 60615) allows a parent or guardian to excuse his or her student from the tests in the STAR Program. This request must be made in writing to the school. In addition, the request may specify:
- The test(s) from which the student is to be exempted (i.e., all or some tests).
- The length of time that the parent’s or guardian’s request remains in effect (i.e., current year or longer).
Can parents or guardians see the tests in the STAR Program?
No. By law (Education Code Section 60616) the tests in the STAR Program are secure tests and cannot be seen by anyone other than the parties specified by law (i.e., school board members, legislators). This stipulation helps maintain the integrity of the tests and ensures that the rights of all students are protected. Each year, 25 percent of the test questions used in the CSTs are released and posted on the Internet for public viewing. The released questions show the content and types of questions that are included in the CST portion of the STAR Program. These released questions are available on the STAR Web page.
Do STAR Program test results go on a student’s high school transcript?
No. Student results for tests in the STAR Program do not go on the high school transcript unless a parent or guardian signs a release or submits a written request allowing the school or school district to do so. Students, parents, or guardians may authorize the release of individual student results to colleges or universities for the purpose of credit, placement, or admission (Education Code Section 60641).
How can schools help prepare students for the tests in the STAR Program?
The best way to prepare students for the tests in the STAR Program is to provide classroom instruction and assessments that are aligned to the California content standards. Teachers are encouraged to talk with their students’ parents or guardians about what the school district, school, and teachers are doing to make sure the content standards are being taught and tested.
Additional Information
Additional information about the STAR Program is available on the STAR Web page.
*Grade-level proficiency refers to the student’s level of knowledge and degree of mastery of the California content standards for the subjects being assessed. This grade-level proficiency should not to be confused with the STAR Program performance levels as reported on the STAR Student Report.
