STAR Assessments

Standardized Testing and Reporting FAQ

When are the STAR assessments administered?

The STAR assessments are administered multiple times throughout the year in fall, winter, and spring. These testing windows help monitor your child’s progress over time and ensure they are on track for grade-level proficiency.

What is the purpose of the STAR assessments?

The STAR assessments track student progress in Reading and Math. Teachers use the results to inform instruction, adjust strategies, and provide additional support where needed to help each child succeed.

How do the STAR assessments work?

The STAR tests are computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your child’s answers. If they answer a question correctly, the next question becomes slightly more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next question becomes easier. This allows the test to accurately gauge each student’s current level of proficiency. The tests are taken on a computer or tablet and typically last 20-40 minutes per subject.

Are there accommodations for students with special needs?

Yes, if your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, they can receive specific accommodations such as extra time, larger text, or audio support during the test. Please ensure these accommodations are set up in advance by confirming with your child’s teacher.

How will I receive my child’s STAR assessment results?

Parents will receive their child’s test results via the ParentVue portal before Parent-Teacher Conference Week. These reports will give insights into your child’s strengths and areas for improvement in both Reading and Math.

How can I help my child prepare?

You can help your child by encouraging regular reading, practicing basic math skills, and using sample questions or practice tests like those available on TestPrep-Online. Familiarizing your child with the format will help reduce test anxiety and build confidence.

Tips for Parents to Help Prepare Their Kids

• Encourage regular reading at home to build comprehension and vocabulary.

• Practice basic math skills like addition, subtraction, and early multiplication.

• Ask your child questions about what they’re reading to develop critical thinking.

• Ensure they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before test days.

• Create a calm and supportive environment on test days, encouraging confidence.

• Review any reports from the school and discuss progress with teachers.

To help your child feel more comfortable with the STAR tests, parents can explore sample questions and practice tests available online. We recommend using the example tests provided on TestPrep-Online to familiarize your child with the format and types of questions they will encounter. This is a great way to build confidence and ensure they know what to expect on test day.

Reading and Math Expectations for Grades K-5

Here’s a breakdown of key reading and math skills that are typically expected from students in kindergarten through fifth grade. These expectations are based on the STAR assessments, which are one of the many tools used to measure student learning.

Reading

Kindergarten:

• Identifies a story’s beginning, middle, and end.

• Knows basic print concepts (difference between letters and words, basic punctuation).

• Recognizes some letters and words (can identify letters and read basic sight words).

1st Grade:

• Identifies the main events in a story.

• Recognizes different genres (fairy tales, nonfiction, etc.).

• Understands the difference between fiction and nonfiction.

2nd Grade:

• Identifies and describes characters and their traits.

• Understands how a character’s actions affect the plot.

• Recognizes different points of view in stories.

3rd Grade:

• Identifies and describes a character’s feelings and motivations.

• Understands how settings contribute to a story.

• Recognizes and understands the theme of a story.

4th Grade:

• Understands the relationship between a character’s actions, traits, and motives.

• Analyzes the effects of literary elements like symbolism on a story.

• Compares and contrasts different versions of the same story.

5th Grade:

• Analyzes the impact of literary devices such as figurative language and tone.

• Considers the historical or cultural context of a text.

• Evaluates the effectiveness of an author’s craft and technique.

Math

Kindergarten:

Basic counting and number recognition.

1st Grade:

Solves simple addition and subtraction problems.

2nd Grade:

Begins to understand place value (tens and ones).

3rd Grade:

Introduced to multiplication and division concepts.

4th Grade:

Develops an understanding of fractions and decimals.

5th Grade:

Explores geometric shapes and their properties, and works with units of measurement.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or contact the staff through our contact page.