|
Classroom assessments (including final exams) are an essential & integral part of the instructional process. They evaluate learning & also help guide instruction.
The CAHSEE (CAlifornia High School Exit Exam) is a standardized test that each student must pass in order to receive a diploma from any public high school in California.
The STAR Tests (Standardized Testing And Reporting), by contrast, are given annually to California public-school students in grades 2 thru 11, for the purpose of monitoring schools and holding them "accountable" for student achievement. The CSTs (California Standards Tests) are currently the most important component of STAR.
Your STAR exam scores have no effect on your GPA, your high school graduation, or your college admissions. (However, Paly uses scores in a thoughtful way as an additional measure in evaluating & monitoring student progress & program effectiveness.)
Under California law, a student may be "opted out" of STAR testing by a parent or guardian.
However, NCLB ("No Child Left Behind") may subject a school or a school district to severe penalties if, on the CSTs for English or Math,
- either too few students score "proficient" or better,
- or too few students take the tests.
Questions? Please contact Kathie Laurence.
|
|
|
| |
Grade 12 |
|
| |
There are no STAR tests for Seniors, and this year there are no classes on the days when STAR tests are given. Seniors should come to school on those days only if they have specific reasons to be there -- appointments, AP exams, etc. |
|
|
Grade 11 (see also "Grades 9, 10, and 11" below) |
|
| |
The new Early Assessment Program (EAP) -- a voluntary part of 11th-grade STAR -- combines high-school standards with CSU (Cal State Univ) placement standards to identify whether a student is prepared for college. The student still has time to prepare in 12th grade. And students who do well on this & then go to a CSU may be able to avoid certain placement tests! This test is is given for the benefit of the individual student, and is recommended for all Juniors, not just those planning to attend a CSU. Juniors who have already taken the essay portion of the EAP (in their English classes) need to finish the EAP during STAR testing. For helpful Q&A from CSU, click here. |
|
|
Grades 9, 10, and 11 |
|
| |
Every family will receive a letter (addressed to the student and to the parents/guardians). The front of the letter discusses the tests, what to bring, etc. The back of the letter shows the student's individual, personal schedule, showing where to report for STAR testing and what time to arrive each day.
If you don't receive the letter by Mon May 5, please contact Kathie Laurence right away to get the correct info for your student. Please DO NOT follow the info on another student's schedule! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- Get a good night's rest;
- Eat a healthy breakfast;
- There is no need to study for STAR tests. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Where to Go |
|
| |
In the letter you received in the mail, the location for your STAR tests is shown at the top of the page, above the schedule. Room assignments will also be posted in the windows of the ERC and the Guidance Office. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
When to Get There |
|
| |
Please arrive and be in your seat, ready to go, at the scheduled time. Testing times depend on what grade you are in and on what math & science courses you are taking.
If your schedule shows "No Test", please do not come to school for that period. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
What to Bring |
|
| |
When you come for tests, please bring:
- Two #2 pencils (or a mechanical pencil);
- A book or music to use quietly after you finish a test early;
- A snack for a quick energy boost at Brunch. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
What NOT to Bring |
|
| |
You cannot use the following items at any time during the testing period, even if you have finished your test:
- Cell phone;
- Calculator;
- or PDA. |
|
|
|
| |
Note: the English Language and Art History
AP exams are
on
Wed May 14. If you have a conflict between STAR tests and
an
AP exam,
please contact Kathie Laurence for instructions.
|
| |
|
| |
Wed May 14 |
| |
7:50 |
|
CST Math, part 1 |
| |
9:20 |
|
Brunch |
| |
9:40 |
|
CST Math, part 2 |
| |
11:10 |
|
Lunch |
| |
11:50 |
|
CST English Language Arts, part 1 |
| |
1:15 |
|
Break |
| |
1:30 |
|
CST English Language Arts, part 2 (school ends 2:55) |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Thu May 15 |
| |
7:50 |
|
History - Social Science, part 1 |
| |
8:50 |
|
History - Social Science, part 2 |
| |
9:45 |
|
Brunch |
| |
10:05 |
|
CST Science, part 1 |
| |
11:10 |
|
CST Science, part 2 |
| |
12:10 |
|
Lunch |
| |
12:50 |
|
10th grade Science, part 1 |
| |
1:55 |
|
10th grade Science, part 2 (school ends 2:55) |
|
|
