• May 2, 2013 to June 6, 2013 - Grades 2nd - 11th

Check with your school to verify their testing window

The tests in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program are an important part of the state assessment system. These tests are administered each spring to measure how well students in California’s public schools are achieving California content standards. These achievement tests target English-language arts and mathematics in grades two through eleven. In addition, tests in science and history-social science are given in selected grades.

Educating students is a team effort. Parents, guardians, students, schools, and communities benefit when there is a shared responsibility for learning. To fully participate as part of this team, parents and guardians should have a thorough understanding of the role the tests in the STAR Program play in making sure that all students achieve California content standards.

All students in grades two through eleven in California public schools participate in the STAR Program each spring. This includes students with disabilities and English learners.
 

• The California Standards Tests (CSTs) measure the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science. These tests are given in grades two through eleven.
• The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) measures the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. This alternate assessment is given to students in grades two through eleven, who have significant cognitive disabilities and are unable to take the CSTs even with accommodations or modifications.
• The California Modified Assessment (CMA) measures the achievement of California content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. In 2013, this assessment is given to students with disabilities in grades three hrough five, who meet CMA eligibility criteria approved by the State Board of Education.
• The Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) measure the achievement of California content standards in reading-language arts and mathematics in Spanish. In 2013, these assessments are given to Spanish-speaking English learners in grades two through seven.

Yes. All students must participate unless their parents or guardians have submitted a written request to the school to exempt them from STAR Program testing (Education Code Section 60615). It is very important that all students take part in the STAR Program. Each school district and school must have at least 95 percent of its students participate in statewide assessments in order to meet federal accountability requirements.
 

Most parents and guardians will receive the STAR student reports by the end of September 2010.
 

The California Standards Tests in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science are administered only to students in California public schools. Except for a writing component that is administered as part of the grade four and seven English-language arts tests, all questions are multiple choice. These tests were developed specifically to assess students' knowledge of the California content standards. The State Board of Education adopted these standards that specify what all California children are expected to know and be able to do in each grade or course.
 

CST scores are used for calculating each school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and adequate yearly progress (AYP). Information about the API and AYP is posted at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar/index.asp