Standardized Testing and Reporting
Encyclopedia
The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program measures performance on the California Achievement Test, Sixth Edition Survey (CAT/6 Survey), the California Content Standards Test and the Spanish Assessment of Basic Education (SABE/2). The STAR Program is the cornerstone of the California
Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 (PSAA). The primary goal of the PSAA is to help schools improve the academic achievement of all students.
Each spring, California students in grades 2 through 11 must take a series of tests that comprise the state's STAR program. These must be completed 10 days before or after 85% of a school's year has passed.
The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are designed to match the state's academic content standards for each grade. Grades 2 through 8 tests cover mathematics and English/language arts (which includes writing in grades 4 and 7). Grades 9 through 11 cover English/language arts, mathematics, and science. History-social science tests are added for grades 8, 10 and 11 as well as science for grades 5 and 8. Except for writing, all questions are multiple-choice.
California's school accountability system was originally based solely on scores from the CAT/6
. Through the Academic Performance Index
(API), the scores drove the allocation of millions of dollars in intervention and award programs, depending on the health of the state’s budget. (The state has not funded award or intervention programs based on 2002 or 2003 test scores.)
APIs now include results primarily from the California Standards Tests plus CAT/6. Results from the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), taken by 10th graders in the 2001-02 school year, are part of high school APIs. English/language arts scores count for 10% and math for 5%.
(California Assessment Program). Many districts required additional tests, such as CTBS (California Test of Basic Skills).
In the early 1990s, CAP was replaced by CLAS (California Learning Assessment System), which was discontinued in 1995 because of controversy over portions of the test. For the next few years each school district selected its own commercial tests, until the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) program began in 1998. In this program almost all students in grades 2 through 11 take the California Standards Test that reflect the state's academic content standards plus a nationally normed, standardized test every year. Each school must report individual students' scores to their parents, and group results are released in mid-August.
All students are supposed to be tested, with a few exceptions. Parents may request in writing to the principal that a student not be tested.
Mathematics is approached differently. All students in grades 2-6 take the same grade-level test each year. For grades 8-11, the test depends upon the particular math course in which the student is enrolled. The standards assume that 8th graders are registered in Algebra 1, 9th graders in Geometry
, and 10th graders in Algebra 2, and these scores are reported. The High School Summative test is only for students who completed that sequence of courses. Depending on local district curriculum, students in grades 8 through 10 take an alternative test for the first, second, or third year of Integrated Mathematics, an approach that combines algebra
, geometry
, statistics
, and other mathematical knowledge.
For science, the Standards Tests are also based on the specific course students take. The options include earth science
, biology
, chemistry
and physics
. As with math, tests reflecting an “integrated” approach to science are also offered.
The results of the Standards Tests are reported according to the performance level they reach. The California State Board of Education
set five benchmarks to indicate a student’s proficiency. These levels are Advanced, Proficient, Basic, Below Basic, and Far Below Basic. The percent correct determines the performance level, which differs according to the grade and the level. Since the questions are specifically linked to California's standards, the results have no national comparison.
The California Standardized Testing and Reporting in no way reflects a student's grades or placement in future classes prior to the test. Contrary to popular belief, future colleges will not make reference to the test for any reason. The STAR is strictly for the representing school's ranking within the state. Schools who reflect higher test scores from their students will receive a higher budget.
The California Standards Tests report out Lexile
measures for students in grades 2-11. Lexile measures can be used to match readers with targeted texts and monitor growth in reading ability.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 (PSAA). The primary goal of the PSAA is to help schools improve the academic achievement of all students.
Each spring, California students in grades 2 through 11 must take a series of tests that comprise the state's STAR program. These must be completed 10 days before or after 85% of a school's year has passed.
The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are designed to match the state's academic content standards for each grade. Grades 2 through 8 tests cover mathematics and English/language arts (which includes writing in grades 4 and 7). Grades 9 through 11 cover English/language arts, mathematics, and science. History-social science tests are added for grades 8, 10 and 11 as well as science for grades 5 and 8. Except for writing, all questions are multiple-choice.
California's school accountability system was originally based solely on scores from the CAT/6
TerraNova (test)
TerraNova is a series of standardized achievement tests used in the United States designed to assess K-12 student achievement in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, vocabulary, spelling, and other areas. The test series is published by CTB/McGraw-Hill...
. Through the Academic Performance Index
Academic Performance Index
The Academic Performance Index is a measurement of academic performance and progress of individual schools in California, United States. It is one of the main components of the Public Schools Accountability Act passed by the California legislature in 1999...
(API), the scores drove the allocation of millions of dollars in intervention and award programs, depending on the health of the state’s budget. (The state has not funded award or intervention programs based on 2002 or 2003 test scores.)
APIs now include results primarily from the California Standards Tests plus CAT/6. Results from the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), taken by 10th graders in the 2001-02 school year, are part of high school APIs. English/language arts scores count for 10% and math for 5%.
History
For three decades California students took the same statewide test, called CAPCAP
Cap may refer to:* Cap, a form of headgear* Lid ** Bottle cap, a closure to seal bottles** Screw cap, a closure to seal bottles or jars* Cap , a statistic representing an athlete's appearance in a select team game...
(California Assessment Program). Many districts required additional tests, such as CTBS (California Test of Basic Skills).
In the early 1990s, CAP was replaced by CLAS (California Learning Assessment System), which was discontinued in 1995 because of controversy over portions of the test. For the next few years each school district selected its own commercial tests, until the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) program began in 1998. In this program almost all students in grades 2 through 11 take the California Standards Test that reflect the state's academic content standards plus a nationally normed, standardized test every year. Each school must report individual students' scores to their parents, and group results are released in mid-August.
All students are supposed to be tested, with a few exceptions. Parents may request in writing to the principal that a student not be tested.
The California Standards Test
Most California Standards Tests reflect the state’s academic content standards for the particular grade, with certain exceptions.Mathematics is approached differently. All students in grades 2-6 take the same grade-level test each year. For grades 8-11, the test depends upon the particular math course in which the student is enrolled. The standards assume that 8th graders are registered in Algebra 1, 9th graders in Geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
, and 10th graders in Algebra 2, and these scores are reported. The High School Summative test is only for students who completed that sequence of courses. Depending on local district curriculum, students in grades 8 through 10 take an alternative test for the first, second, or third year of Integrated Mathematics, an approach that combines algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
, geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
, statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
, and other mathematical knowledge.
For science, the Standards Tests are also based on the specific course students take. The options include earth science
Earth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. As with math, tests reflecting an “integrated” approach to science are also offered.
The results of the Standards Tests are reported according to the performance level they reach. The California State Board of Education
California State Board of Education
The California State Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body of the California Department of Education. The State Board of Education sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability...
set five benchmarks to indicate a student’s proficiency. These levels are Advanced, Proficient, Basic, Below Basic, and Far Below Basic. The percent correct determines the performance level, which differs according to the grade and the level. Since the questions are specifically linked to California's standards, the results have no national comparison.
The California Standardized Testing and Reporting in no way reflects a student's grades or placement in future classes prior to the test. Contrary to popular belief, future colleges will not make reference to the test for any reason. The STAR is strictly for the representing school's ranking within the state. Schools who reflect higher test scores from their students will receive a higher budget.
The California Standards Tests report out Lexile
Lexile
The Lexile Framework for Reading is an educational tool that uses a measure called a Lexile to match readers of all ages with books, articles and other leveled reading resources....
measures for students in grades 2-11. Lexile measures can be used to match readers with targeted texts and monitor growth in reading ability.