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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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%)

6. 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, (just type “CST Released Test questions in the Search menu)
More CST Practice found at,

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. How do I find out more? Talk to your child’s teacher
Kennedyelementary.weebly.com (Student link)
ABCUSD Website
CDE Program Resources Web Page:
Content Standards Web Page:

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