STAR Assessments

STAR Assessments

STAR Assessments are short, computer-adaptive tests used by schools to measure students' academic skills in reading and math. "Computer-adaptive" means the test adjusts its difficulty based on the student's answers; if a student answers a question correctly, the next question is harder, and if they answer incorrectly, the next is easier. This allows the test to quickly and accurately determine a student's proficiency level in a short amount of time, typically around 20 minutes.
 

Benchmark Test

As a benchmark test, STAR Assessments provide a snapshot of a student's academic performance at specific points in the school year, typically at the beginning (fall), middle (winter), and end (spring). These assessments are designed to establish a baseline, monitor progress, and predict a student's performance on year-end, high-stakes state tests. The data generated helps educators determine if students are on track to meet grade-level expectations.
 

The test generates several key scores, including:

• Scaled Score: A raw score that allows for comparison of a student's performance over time and across grade levels.
• Percentile Rank: A score that compares a student's performance to that of other students in the same grade nationwide. For example, a percentile rank of 70 means the student scored as well as or better than 70% of their peers.
• Student Growth Percentile (SGP): A measure of how much a student's skills have improved over a period, comparing their growth to that of their academic peers.

Schools use STAR Assessments for several reasons:

• Screening and Placement: The tests help educators quickly identify students who may need additional support or interventions. Based on their scores, students can be placed into specific groups or programs that match their academic needs.
• Personalized Instruction: The detailed data from the tests helps teachers pinpoint a student's strengths and weaknesses in specific skill areas. This allows teachers to tailor their instruction and resources to meet individual student needs.
• Progress Monitoring: By administering the tests multiple times a year, schools can monitor students' academic growth over time. This data helps teachers determine if their instructional methods are effective and whether interventions are working.
• Informing Decisions: The insights gained from STAR data help school administrators and teachers make informed decisions about curriculum, resources, and educational strategies to improve overall student outcomes.
• Predicting Performance: STAR Assessments are often statistically linked to state-level standardized tests, allowing schools to predict how students are likely to perform on those high-stakes exams and intervene early if a student is at risk of not meeting proficiency standards.