STAR Testing & Ar

Description

STAR Testing is a computer-based assessment used to measure your child’s progress in reading and math. All Diocesan elementary schools administer the STAR Reading and Math assessments three times a year-September, January, and May-following the Diocesan testing schedule.

This adaptive test adjusts in difficulty based on your child’s responses, ensuring a more accurate measure of their skill level. STAR Testing provides valuable insights into areas of strength and areas needing improvement, helping teachers tailor instruction to support each student’s individual learning journey.

STAR Accelerated Reader is a program that helps track and improve students' reading progress by allowing them to take quizzes on books they’ve read to assess comprehension. It encourages independent reading by setting personalized goals and providing feedback to support growth. St. Serra uses this in Grades 1-4.

STAR Testing / Accelerated Reader Link: https://schools.renaissance.com/

Frequently Asked Questions: STAR Testing

1. What is STAR Testing?
STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) is a computer-adaptive assessment that measures students' academic progress in reading and math. It is used to track student growth and guide instruction.

2. What subjects does the STAR test cover?
The STAR assessments include:

• STAR Reading – Measures reading comprehension and literacy skills.

• STAR Math – Assesses math proficiency, problem-solving, and numeracy skills.

• STAR Early Literacy is taken in Kindergarten and during the Fall Trimester in 1st grade

3. Who takes the STAR test?
Students in grades K-8 take STAR assessments depending the Diocesan requirements. The tests are administered three times per year to monitor student growth in compiance with the Diocese of Orange testing windows. Teachers may test their students outside of the Diocesan testing window to gather useful data for instruction.

4. How does the STAR test work?
STAR tests are computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the student’s responses. If a student answers correctly, the next question becomes harder; if they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier.

5. How long does the STAR test take?

• STAR Reading & STAR Math: Typically take 20–40 minutes per subject.

• STAR Early Literacy: Around 15–20 minutes.

6. What does my child’s STAR score mean?
Scores are usually reported as:

• Scaled Score (SS): A numerical score indicating overall performance.

• Percentile Rank (PR): Compares your child’s score to other students nationwide.

• Grade Equivalent (GE): Estimates the grade level your child’s performance matches.

• Student Growth Percentile (SGP): Measures progress over time compared to peers.

7. How can I help my child prepare for STAR testing?

• Encourage daily reading and problem-solving activities.

• Provide a quiet, distraction-free environment for testing- this is implemented by the teachers

• Ensure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a healthy breakfast.

• Remind them that STAR is a tool for learning, not a high-stakes test.

8. How often is the STAR test given?
Most schools administer the STAR test three times a year (fall, winter, spring) to track progress. Teachers may test their students outside of the Diocesan testing window to gather useful data for instruction.

9. How is STAR different from state standardized tests?
Unlike state assessments that are taken once a year and used for accountability, STAR tests are adaptive, shorter, and used for instructional purposes to help teachers support students throughout the year.

10. Where can I see my child’s STAR test results?
Parents can sign up to receive their child's STAR result emailed. Parents must sign up BEFORE the start of the test. Results are not saved on the child's STAR Dashboard for future reference. Reminders are sent via Sunday Newsletter for upcoming STAR tests and directions to sign up for result emails. Click this LINK for instructions.

Resources and Tools

STAR Testing Verbiage: What do the scores means?