Welcome to: Second Grade STAR/CST Parent Night Mrs. Blum Ms. Moret Mrs. Ramos

What is STAR Program and the CSTs? California Standards Tests (CST) are the tests given to students grades 2 through 11 as part of the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR). For California public schools only Tests how well students are achieving grade level skills and standards

Who takes the CST? All students attending a public school in California Grades 2-11 Students with IEPs will have accommodations

When do they take the CST? May 2 - May 18, 2011 Between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. There will be make-ups for tests

What content is tested? Grade Level Standards, www.cde.ca.gov Language Arts- Word analysis, Fluency, and Vocabulary Development (34%), Reading Comprehension (23%), Writing (12%), Written and Oral Conventions (22%), Listening & Speaking Mathematics- Number Sense (58%), Algebra and Functions (9%), Measurement and Geometry (22%), Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability (11%)

What type of questions are on test? Multiple choice CST Released Test questions can be found on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web Page, www.cde.ca.gov (just type “CST Released Test questions in the Search menu) More CST Practice found at, http://starsamplequestions.org/

When will I receive my child’s STAR Student Report? Parents or guardians will receive it no later than the end of September 2010 Advanced (about 1 year or more above grade level) Proficient (at grade level) Basic (about 1 year below grade level) Below Basic (about 2 years below grade level) Far Below Basic (about 3 years or more below grade level)

What is the CRL number? The CRL number is an index based on each student’s score on the CST for English–Language Arts. May be used to access a list of books that are at a student’s reading level. The list is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) California Reading List Web Page

How do teachers use CST scores? Identify your child’s academic strengths and needs Help teachers when meeting with parents and guardians Help match what your child learns in school with what the state wants them to learn Provides a more complete picture of your child’s academic progress

How CST scores are used Communicating with Parents and Guardians Monitoring Student Achievement Evaluating School Programs: Academic Performance Index (API scores) Providing Data to Accountability Programs (GATE)

What you can you do to help your child? Be an active participant in your child’s education Attend district sponsored workshops Talk to your child about the test Remind your child to listen and follow directions Give your child practice in following directions Read a loud with your child

Continued… http://www.schoolfamily.com Help your child with his/her regular school assignments Keep in contact with your child’s teacher Learn to use computers to access information Make sure your child is physically ready to take the test http://www.schoolfamily.com

How can your child do well? Do their schoolwork & homework Be ready for the test Follow & read test directions Look carefully at each page before you start On math tests, look at the labels on graphs and charts

Continued… Fill in the answer circles the right way Use your time wisely Use context clues to help you figure out hard questions Sometimes it’s good to guess Check you work Stay calm! Test taking tips (on Kennedy website)

Getting ready for the Big Day Provide a good breakfast on the test days Make sure he/she gets a good night’s sleep Give them a snack to bring to school Assure your child that he/she is not expected to know all the answers on the test Keep the mood light and give encouragement

How do I find out more? Talk to your child’s teacher Kennedyelementary.weebly.com (Student link) ABCUSD Website CDE Program Resources Web Page: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp. Content Standards Web Page: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/. http://starsamplequestions.org/

Please remember, what you you do at home with your child effects their test scores. Thank you for caring! Questions?