STAR Training for Site CoordinatorsFebruary 23, 2010

Agenda

• Introductions• What is STAR?• Roles and Responsibilities• STAR Resources (Trudy)• Required Tests• Security Requirements (Video)• Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications• Document Coding• Testing Sites and Proctors• Site Trainings• Testing Schedule• What if … ? • Packaging and Returning Items (Trudy)• Q & A

What is STAR?

• Standardized Testing and Reporting– Includes a number of tests

• California Standards Test (CST)• California Alternative Performance Assessment (CAPA)• Early Assessment Program (EAP)

– Also CAHSEE, CELDT, CMA, STS• Basis of Federal and State Accountability Systems

– Academic Performance Index (API; California)– Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP; Federal)

• AYP scores for all schools, grade spans, and districts are reported

• Sanctions only exist for Title I schools – Buena Vista– Calavera Hills Elementary– Jefferson– Magnolia– Poinsettia– Calavera Hills Middle– Valley– Carlsbad Village Academy

Purpose of the STAR Program

• Provide standardized testing and test reports for all students, schools, districts, and counties

• Provide schools and districts with information that can be used with other achievement data to make decisions about improving instructional programs

• Provide information to community members and government officials about the effectiveness of California’s education system

Roles and Responsibilities

• The principal is the coordinator– Some secondary schools may identify a lead

administrator other than principal

• Office Assistants and Guidance Technicians have been identified as key support staff

• All staff have some level of responsibility• We must work as teams to implement

• Specific task lists are in STAR District and Test Site Coordinator Manual (p. 48-51)

New for 2010

• Elimination of the writing task as a part of the CST and CMA grade four English–language arts assessment

• Elimination of the development of an assessment for the fundamentals of algebra

• Elimination of future Web postings of released test questions • Reduction of the number of test forms • Elimination of the distribution of administration videos/DVDs • Elimination of the production and distribution of audio CDs • Reduction of the number of pre-test workshops • Elimination of post-test workshops • Elimination of the STAR Teacher Reports • Elimination of annual analysis of mark discriminations • Elimination of the use of security seals on directions for administration • Reduction of interpretive support materials in languages other than

English • The 2010 STAR Program will include the following CMA tests (AOE

Only):

– CMA for English–language Arts in grades three through nine – CMA for Writing in grade seven – CMA for Mathematics in grades three through seven – CMA for Algebra I – CMA for Science in grades five and eight – CMA for Life Science in grade 10

New Website

STAR Resources

• Binder– Packets– STAR Video

• www.startest.org

– Coordinator’s Manual

– Survival Kit

STAR Video

STAR Videos

Required Tests

• Grades 2-7 typically take grade level tests• Grades 8-11 mix grade level and end-of-course

tests

• All students should take required tests unless Parent/Guardian Exemption Request has been submitted– Note: Adverse consequences may occur if we do not

make test participation targets

• See handout for specific details

Unique & Important

• Grade 7 Writing– Due to District Office by March 4th

• Grade 11 EAP– CHS March 29th-30th and CVA on March 25th – Due to District on March 31st

• Special Education– See list

• Practice Tests– Only grades 2-4

• Student Enrollment Counts must be faxed to Instructional Services in March (grades 7) and April/May (Grades 2-11)

• Grades 2-11 CST due to District by May 27th

Standards-based Test in Spanish (STS)

• Coordinated through Claudia Harris (Magnolia)• STS documents will be handled by the

Language Assessment Center and returned to the respective sites after testing.

Security Requirements

• Inventory all materials received• Receive and file STAR Security Affadavits from

all test examiners• Identify a secure, lockable area for testing

materials and notify others of the location• Secure all materials

– Inventory Control Forms– Make-up Tracking

Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications

• Levels of “severity”– Variations are lowest level changes, often available to

all students, available to any students if the practice is regularly used in the classroom

– Accommodations are mid-level changes only available to students with specific language in 504 Plans and/or IEPs that are regularly used in instruction

– Modifications are the most significant changes only available to students with specific language in 504 Plans and/or IEPs. Students that have test modifications are automatically scored as Far Below Basic and are not counted in participation rates for AYP.

– See chart for examples

Document Coding

• Pre-ID Document Notes• Check Pre-ID SGID Sheets• Report all shortages to Trudy

• Be sure to code T if directions have been signed or translated– Nonsecure DFAs are available at www.startest.org under “documents”

• Students may take notes in test booklets but they must be erased before scoring (grades 2-3)

• No highlighters may be used due to potential scanning issues

• Matching Multiple Choice & Writing Tests– Necessary Demographics:

• SSID• Name (Last, First, and Middle)• Birth Date• Gender• School District• School• See p. 32

Hand Bubble Procedures

• Jan Tokorcheck’s Handout

• See screen shots

Testing Sites and Proctors

• Set up separate testing rooms and assign examiners for students with an IEP or 504 Plan (if needed)

• Arrange for supervision of students who are not being tested

• Identify a quiet room to which students who need more time will be escorted. Identify the adults who will accompany students to that room.

• Ensure that the testing room is appropriately prepared (see p. 58)– Also Handout “Testing Room Environment”

• Don’t forget to inform landscape/maintenance of testing schedule

Site Trainings

• Use STAR Video• Security Affadavits• Testing Schedule• Room Preparation• Test Operations

– Documents– Extended Time– Where to check out/in materials– Absences

• Test Booklets– Coding

• Test Administration• Special Testing Conditions, Accommodations, and

Modifications

• See p. 48-51

Testing Schedule

What if … ?

• Absence Tracking Forms (p. 79)• Irregularity Report Form and Test

Administration Incident Form (p. 80)– Appendix C– Be sure to call Trudy!

• Defective Test Booklets (p. 55, call Trudy)• Significant Medical Emergencies (call Bruce)• Hand or Arm Injuries (p. 53, call Bruce Kramer)• Emergency Situations (p. 62, call Trudy)

Packaging and Returning Items

• See Manual for instructions– Box Numbers

1. Copy of Completed Master File Sheets• Writing and Multiple Choice

2. Copy of Inventory Sheets3. Copy of Student Exemption List w/ copies of

parent letters4. STAR Test Security Agreements and

Affadavits5. Completed and signed original of the CDE

Apportionment Form

Budget Numbers

• Certificated Substitutes for Make-Up Testing– Send info to Erin Adams for SBA/EWA

• Personnel Requisitions & Sub Numbers– Sites to submit needs to Erin Adams by March 5th

• How many additional hours assigned to Office Assistant/Guidance Tech?

• How many substitutes days for Office Assistant/Guidance Tech?

• Ballpark: $750 per site– Approximate Hourly Cost: $20– Approximate Sub Hourly Cost: $11

Internet Resources

• http://www.startest.org

• http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/

• http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp

• http://star.cde.ca.gov

• http://cde.ca.gov/sp/se/

• http://www.starsamplequestions.org/

Q & A