STAR FAQ 2010-11

1. T/F A student can go back to a previous STAR subject test to review an answer.

 F (A student may not go back to a previous subject test to review an answer as this is stated each year in the DFA’s (Directions for Administration) at the beginning of instructions for each subtest.  You may visit STAR at http://www.startest.org/cst.html for more detailed info.)

 

2. T/F The ES proctor reads directions to students exactly as written, after the printed words in bold “Say” according to the DFA (Directions for Administration).

T (This is true as it also is stated in the DFA’s throughout the entire booklet stating that the words in bold in boxes that say, “Say” is what the proctor is to say exactly regardless of how many times they have administered the STAR test.  You may visit STAR at http://www.startest.org/cst.html for more detailed info.  This is part of what makes the STAR a standardized test.)

 

3. T/F Students in grade 7 taking Algebra 1 who will have completed the course between summer session 20010 and the end of the 2010-11 school year will take the Algebra 1 EOC.

T (This is true as this is one of the new changes that was implemented 2007)

Training Items a) STAR training: http://skymountaincs.org/assessment/STAR_PFT_AssessmentTraining.htm) 

 

4.  T/F Students in grades 10 and 11 may not take the EOC for General Mathematics.

T (This statement is correct as the EOC for General Math is only available to 8th and 9th graders that are not taking a higher level of math such as Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry.  You can see more details on this subject at http://www.startest.org/pdfs/CST.grade-9-11_dfa.2010.pdf under Mathematic Standards Tests.

 

5. T/F A student may repeat a math EOC test taken previously if they are retaking the course during the current school year.

T (This statement is true because according to the rules for an EOC, a student is to take the math, science or world history EOC that they have just completed or are just finishing up if they are retaking the course.  You can look on line at the district coordinator manual for more of a detailed explanation looking at the table of contents to see which specific info you need more details on at http://www.startest.org/pdfs/CST.grade-9-11_dfa.2010.pdf  under Mathematic Standards Tests.

 

6. T/F All students in grades 8 and 9 will take a mathematics EOC: either General Mathematics if taking General Math or no math course at all, or a higher level EOC if taking a more advanced course.

T (This statement is true and if you need more info, you can look in the coordinator’s manual at http://www.startest.org/pdfs/CST.grade-9-11_dfa.2010.pdf   under Mathematic Standards Tests.

 

7. T/F If a student completes a Math or Science EOC and marks the version number, but does not mark the specific test taken, the test will still be scored.

F (This answer is false because it says in the DFA’s that a student must mark the appropriate version number to the EOC in order for it to be properly scored.  You may look up at http://www.startest.org/cst.html  in Grades 9-11 DFA under DFA’s to see specific info on filling out EOC’s in the answer document.)

 

8. T/F A state auditor can visit districts and schools to observe testing security procedures this school year.

T (This is true and the state is going to send out state auditors to random sites to make sure each site is providing the necessary security for all the test materials.  We need to make sure we are following protocol so that none of our tests are considered invalid because of us not following directions.  See the manual for more info on this at http://www.startest.org/pdfs/CST.grade-9-11_dfa.2010.pdf   

 

9. T/F Students may use scratch paper to organize their thoughts, when taking the Writing Test for 7th grade.

F (Students may not use scratch paper for organizing their thoughts for the STAR Writing test as there will be margins provided for the students in the writing booklets to help ensure they have enough space to write their ideas on.)

 

10. T/F Students are required to show picture ID for STAR testing.

F (This statement is false.  There is nowhere in the STAR info that states a student must provide a picture ID in order to take the STAR test.  It is only stated in the info for the CAHSEE that those students must provide a proper picture ID.)

 

11. T/F Students in grades 9 through 11 will take the EOC CST for World History if they have completed a World History course between the 2010 summer session and the end of the 20010-11 school year.

T (This statement is true as the EOC World History is new this year.  For more information, go to http://www.startest.org/pdfs/CST.grade-9-11_dfa.2010.pdf  under Science Standards Tests.

 

12. What does EOC stand for?

 “End of Course” Test.  Algebra I EOC (End of Course) may now be taken by grade 7 students if appropriate.  You will see that EOC refers to End of Course.)

 

13. How does an ES communicate to the Assessment Department if an accommodation or modification for a student with a 504 Plan or student with an I.E.P. is used?

(The ES enters on provided “Sticky Note” information if accommodations or modifications were used with a student designated in the student folder.  See   http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/2006/IEMSTARtraining06.pdf for those instructions near bottom of page.) Each special education student will have a folder with their test listing their accommodations/modifications clearly typed out.  The sticky note for our special education students is to be placed on the test after the student has completed taking the STAR.  The proctor is to let us know if the student used their special education accommodations/modifications or not, as it is the student’s choice if they want to use them.  This does not break any confidentiality for our special education students because our proctors are all credentialed employees for our schools.  The proctor that works with a special education student is not to share the student’s information with anyone else that is not proctoring.

 

14. What is the correct procedure when testing irregularities occur (i.e. cheating, medical emergency, refuse to take test, disruptive) during STAR testing?

(The ES reports circumstances ASAP to STAR Site Coordinator, STAR Site Coordinator calls Assessment Department ASAP for instructions.  See http://www.startest.org/pdfs/STAR.coord_man.2010.pdf   under Test Administration Incidents for those instructions.)

 

15. Which students take the CAPA test in place of the STAR test?

a) Gifted student 

b) 504 Plan student

c) I.E.P. CAPA designated student

d) None

(CAPA info can be found at http://www.startest.org/capa.html on the STAR website which describes the criteria for the students with disabilities that would take the CAPA.)

 

16. What is a CMA test?

CMA is the California Modified Assessment. It is a new grade level assessment for students on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), receiving grade-level instruction and, even with interventions, will not achieve grade-level proficiency within the year covered by the student’s IEP. For more information, please go to the CMA webpage at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cmastar.asp

 

17. When is the STAR Writing Test for 7th grade students?

a) March 1, March 2 Make-ups

b) February 27, February 28 Make-ups

c) March 12, March 13 Make-ups

d) No Administration this year

(The STAR Writing Test is on March 2nd with March 3rd  as make-ups.)

 

18. What does EAP stand for?

a) Early Assessment Program

b) Eggs and Pancakes

c) Early Advancement Program

d) Early Alzheimer Prognosis

(EAP stands for Early Assessment of Readiness for College Program at http://www.skymountaincs.org/assessment/indexsm.htm

 

19. Who may qualify for the voluntary EAP test?

a) 9th grade student

b) 11th grade college-bound student

c) 12th grade college-bound student

d) Students in 4th or 7th grade

(The EAP is found at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/EAP.pdf  which is only offered to juniors in high school that are college-bound.)

 

20. If a student in the 10th grade takes a Summative Math EOC, what test will the same student take in the 11th grade?

a) General Mathematics

b) Summative Mathematics

c) Algebra II

d) None

(The same student the following year would take Summative Math again.  The District Coordinator Manual at: http://www.startest.org/pdfs/STAR.coord_man.2010.pdf  gives the explanation.)

 

20. The following students are required to take the PFT (Physical Fitness Test) given at the same time as the STAR:

a) Students in grades 3, 5, and 7

b) Students in grades 2, 4, and 6

c) Students in grades 5, 7, and 9

d) 10th grade students

(The PFT is only given to 5th, 7th, and 9th graders viewed at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/2005/pftfaq05.htm on our website explains.)

 

 

22. Where do you locate your student testing site?

a) School assessment website

b) F.R.E.D./ assessment/ STAR

c) Call/email Assessment Department

d) I have no idea

(You locate your student testing site at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/index.htm  and select your school name for the specifics.) The answer for this was referring to where to find out where your student’s testing site is after they looked in FRED to view the student’s specific testing assignment and saw which one they were assigned to.  Once they know which assignment their student has, then they look on the webpage to find the proper test site location at http://www.skymountaincs.org/assessment/index1.htm

 

 

 

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