STAR Testing is coming!

Dear Parents or Guardians:

This spring, your student, along with other public school students throughout California, will participate in the CMA/CST- Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. STAR testing begins April 4th and ends April 29, 2010. Make up testing days will be throughout the testing period and will be scheduled a needed. These tests measure how well students in grades 2-11 are achieving the California content standards for each subject area tested

Results of the STAR Program tests provide valuable information about the academic achievement of students. It is important, therefore, that students do their best when testing. On testing days, please make sure your student attends school, gets an adequate amount of sleep, arrives to school on time and has a healthy breakfast. Your child should also bring a book to read and must be in their school uniform. The tests are not timed. Your child should take their time on each question and complete the test as accurately as possible, using appropriate test taking strategies.

Test results for CST/CMA-STAR testing will be provided for parents within 20 days after the school receives the reports. Individual results are confidential and will be shared only with parents or guardians and the student’s teacher(s). Please keep these reports for use when talking to teacher(s) about ways to support your student’s learning and make use of the information provided by the California Department of Education as highlighted on the back of the report.

Please see the following schedule for the testing cycle. All three tracks at Santa Rosa Academy participate in state testing. Red and White Track students who receive Resource Services will participate in testing with their RSP provider. Please contact them for your child’s testing schedule. If you have any questions, please contact me via phone at 951-672-2400 or email, [email protected].

Sincerely,

Nerni Miller
Assessment Coordinator

Downloadable Schedules Listed Below

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE BLUE TRACK Grade 2 and 3

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE Red Track 2-8

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE RED TRACK HIGH SCHOOL

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE WHITE TRACK Grades K-8

The following are some suggested options for preparing your child for the CST –CMA STAR testing program.

1. The web site linked below offers multi-leveled release questions and should be practiced regularly for the maximum benefit (http://starsamplequestions.org/starRTQ/search.jsp)

2. If your child needs to review a concept Kahn Academy web site offers great video resources for your use. (www.kahnacademy.org)

3. The California Department of Education has released questions from prior tests to help schools in preparing their students for the testing format and vocabulary. The questions may be found at the following web site. (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp)

There a few things you can do to prepare your child to perform their best during the testing cycle.

We appreciate your support!

1.Between now and testing, ask your child to tell you one specific thing they learned in either Language Arts and math. Ask them to explain it to you. This helps your child retain the information they learn from day to day.

2. Have a discussion with your child explaining why preparing for things early is a benefit. Help them see the importance of focusing during class so they are prepared when testing occurs.

3. Review with your child in how to review and verify answers on a test. Discuss that it is important to erase and re- bubble neatly if they need to change an answer.

4. Discuss your child that if they do not know the answer there are ways they can eliminate some the choices, based on what they DO KNOW!

5. Be on time for school everyday, but especially during testing week. This will allow your child to be the most relaxed and ready to do their best. It helps them feel confident and unhurried.

6. A good night’s sleep each night helps students perform at their best. During the testing window, please minimize any late night activities. (sports games, family errands, etc)

7. Remind your child that they do not need to spend too much time on one question. Sometimes children over think their answers!

8. Wish your child good luck everyday! This simple gesture let’s them know you care!