STAR Test

An important part of student success at PPOS is identifying foundational content knowledge and understanding in Math and English, and providing appropriate instruction and programming. To assist our teaching staff in this, we will be continuing our STAR Assessment program across all grade levels in these two content areas.

The STAR Assessment is a multiple choice, computer-adaptive assessment that targets content-focused skills and provides a comprehensive report for each class and student. With this reliable and valid data, our teachers can efficiently and effectively reach informed data-based instructional decisions, create targeted lessons, monitor student progress, and provide the most appropriate support for their classes and students.

PPOS will be administering the STAR Assessment throughout the year. We will begin baseline testing as part of WOW Orientation. Students do not need to prepare in any way for the assessment. 

We appreciate your support with assessments this year! Please see the Q&A section below for more detailed information.

Q: What are STAR Assessments?

A: STAR Assessments by Renaissance are short computer-adaptive tests (CATs) for K-12 students that measure reading, math, and early literacy skills. The tests are adaptive, meaning that question difficulty is adjusted automatically based on how the student answers each question. Using this method of question delivery, the results identify a student's understanding and proficiency in the content standards.

Q: How long does the STAR Assessment take?

A: Tests typically take between 20-30 minutes each (Math and Reading) and are administered by your student's Champion Teacher during dedicated times throughout the year.

Q: What do teachers do with STAR Assessments?

A: Teachers utilize the data to learn what students already know, what they have learned, and what they need additional help with in Math and English content standards. In addition, STAR Assessments measure student growth and help us celebrate and support students who have made progress in their academic development in each content area.

Q: What does the STAR Assessment do for my child?

A: By pinpointing exactly what your student knows, our teachers can develop data-driven instruction, targeting specific areas in their curriculum to support student achievement and growth. In addition, because this assessment is designed to be completed in short time periods, it provides a wealth of information in a short period of time. This timely feedback allows teachers to identify instructional paths quickly and efficiently.

Q: How can I help my student with their STAR Assessments?

A: The best way to support your student is to assure them that this assessment is not tied to their classroom grade. Having conversations with them to help them understand that the results of this assessment are used by their teachers to help support them and celebrate their achievement and growth will help calm any nerves they may experience as well as help them know that all they need to do is try their best while taking the assessment. There will be questions on the assessment that they do not know how to do or may have never seen before - and that is completely normal and expected! It helps establish the reliability of the test, as well as identify areas that teachers should help support students in if a topic has already been taught.

Q: How can I see my students' results?

A: Learning Coaches can request reports from your student's Champion Teacher. 

Q: Can I see the questions that my child got wrong?

A: Each testing experience is unique because STAR Assessments continually adjust based on each response, homing in on your child’s current level of achievement and growth. The overall pattern of responses is more important than how your child answered each question. For this reason, and to protect the integrity of the test, individual test items or question results are not available.