Assessment that informs instruction

Star Assessments form an integrated assessment family that provides dependable insights to support teaching and learning. The Star suite includes a range of academic and non-academic assessments—spanning computer-adaptive tests (CAT) and curriculum-based measures (CBM) for early literacy, reading, and math, along with specialized early literacy and phonics tools, Star Phonics—all designed to work together or stand alone as needed. This flexibility allows educators to gather meaningful data at key points in the year and confidently determine next steps for every learner.

Star Assessments measure students’ early literacy, reading, and math achievement and progress. They help educators understand which skills students have mastered and which skills they’re ready to learn next—enabling more targeted, effective instruction.

Following are frequency recommendations for Star Assessments:

• Universal screening (3x per year):  Most schools administer Star three times per year—in fall, winter, and spring—to establish a baseline and identify students’ needs. Schools may test 2–5 times per year for screening purposes, depending on their specific needs for tracking.
• Progress monitoring (weekly/monthly):  Teachers can use Star Assessments as often as weekly to track specific interventions.

Star is not a “pass/fail” test, nor is it something students study for. The best way to prepare is simple: encourage students to relax, take their time, and do their best.

Because Star uses computer-adaptive technology, it provides reliable results quickly—typically 20 minutes per assessment.

Teachers have access to a variety of Star reports that include key scores used to identify student needs and measure achievement and growth. Family and caregiver reports include the same scores, plus clear definitions and suggestions for supporting learning at home.

Key scores include:

• Scaled Score (SS): Measures student performance on a common scale across grade levels.
• Percentile Rank (PR): Shows how a student’s performance compares to a national sample of students (from 1–99).
• Student Growth Percentile (SGP): Measures how a student’s growth compares to academic peers with similar score histories (from 1–99).
• Grade Equivalent (GE): Indicates how a student’s performance compares to the national average performance at other grade levels.
• Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Identifies the range of text difficulty where a student is most likely to experience successful, growth-oriented reading practice.
• Domain scores: Show the percentage of mastery within specific skill areas (e.g., Numbers & Operations, Reading Comprehension), helping educators pinpoint strengths and areas for growth.
• Correct per Minute (CPM): CPM is the number of correct responses a student completes in one minute. Because each measure included in Star CBM Reading, Star CBM Lectura, and Star CBM Math has multiple forms, we first adjust (or “equate”) scores so all forms are comparable. After this adjustment, the score is converted to a per‑minute rate based on how long the student took. This ensures CPM scores mean the same thing, no matter which form a student completes.

Star data helps educators identify students who may benefit from enrichment or intervention. The data includes skill-level insights, instructional next steps, and connections to aligned resources—making it easier to tailor learning to each student’s needs.

Yes. Renaissance has created custom learning progressions that reflect each state’s reading and math standards—helping educators understand where their students are now and whether they’re on track to meet grade-level expectations by the end of the school year. These state-specific learning progressions are embedded within Star Assessments, so reporting is aligned with your state’s expectations.

Star provides authentic, research-based assessments in both English and Spanish. These assessments capture students’ strengths in each language, highlight transferable skills, and offer a holistic understanding of their bilingual development, supporting more effective instruction and equitable learning opportunities.

Yes. Star assessment results can be compared across years to track student growth, as the Scaled Score (SS) is consistent across grade levels and time. These scores allow educators and families to monitor progress from kindergarten through high school.

Star supports MTSS and RTI by providing universal screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic information within a single, cohesive system. The assessments identify students who may need additional support, measure the effectiveness of interventions, and guide educators toward appropriate next steps—all of which help districts deliver a more responsive and data‑informed tiered support system.

Star data offers visibility into achievement, growth, and instructional needs at the student, classroom, school, and district levels. Leaders can view trends across grade levels and subgroups, monitor progress toward proficiency goals, examine the effectiveness of instruction and interventions, and ensure alignment between curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Star Assessments provide consistent, research‑based measures across student populations, including English and Spanish assessments designed to capture strengths in both languages. This helps districts identify opportunity gaps, ensure supports are equitably allocated, and monitor progress over time for all learners.

Star integrates with major SIS, LMS, and rostering solutions to simplify data management and reduce educator workload. Through secure data-sharing and interoperability standards, districts can streamline processes like rostering, score reporting, and linking assessment results to instructional resources.

Star is built with flexibility in mind. Districts can use specific assessment types—such as computer-adaptive assessments, curriculum-based measures, or non‑academic tools—on their own or as part of an integrated suite. This makes it easy to expand or adjust the assessment strategy as needs evolve.