Educators need reliable assessment data throughout the school year to make informed instructional decisions that support every student’s learning journey. More than simply providing test scores, Star Assessments help educators understand what students know, identify what comes next, monitor growth, and connect students with targeted instruction and practice. Through ongoing research and validation, Renaissance helps ensure educators have access to relevant, actionable data they can trust to support student success in school and beyond.
As part of this commitment, Renaissance has updated linking studies for select states for the 2026–2027 school year. These updates help educators continue using Star data with confidence.
Linking studies connect performance on state summative assessments with performance on Star Reading and Star Math assessments at the same grade level. This statistical relationship helps educators understand whether students are on track to meet grade-level expectations well before the end-of-year state assessment, providing more time to make instructional adjustments that can positively impact student outcomes.
Renaissance has updated linking studies for the following states. As a result, educators in these states will see updated cut scores under Goals & Benchmarks and on Star State Performance Reports. Technical reports for each state’s linking study are available below and include details about the methodology, findings, and results:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Georgia (EOC)
- Illinois (ACT)
- Maine
- Mississippi
- South Carolina (ELA only)
- Texas
By updating these state linking studies, Renaissance continues to provide educators with meaningful insights they can trust throughout the school year. These updated benchmarks and reports help educators monitor progress, identify instructional needs earlier, and make informed decisions that support student achievement and long-term success.