1. Welcome to
Test Talk!
Presented by:
Christina Fink
Instructional Practices Coach, Low School

2. What are the CSTs?
Why Are They Given?

3. California’s STAR Program
• Standardized Testing And
STAR Reporting
• Beginning of statewide
1998 accountability
• Academic Performance Index
• Annual growth measurement
API • Goal: every school is 800 +

4. The STAR Testing
System
CST
CMA
STAR
CAPA
STS

5. Grade Levels
• Every student in 2nd – 11th grade takes the CST
2nd & 3rd 4th 5th 6th
• English- • English- • English- • English-
Language Language Language Language
Arts Arts Arts Arts
• Math • Math • Math • Math
• Writing • Science

6. How Do Test Scores
Affect Your Child & Our
School?

7. How Schools Use the CST
Effectiveness of Accountability
Academic for all Students’
Programs Learning
New Program Class
Decisions Composition
Confidential

8. How Scores Affect Your Child
• Students cannot “fail” the CST; instead, their
scores are used to identify needs
Strengths/ Intervention
Weaknesses Programs
Promotion/Retention
Enrichment Programs
Decisions

9. How Do I Interpret My
Child’s Scores?

10. Performance Levels
Advanced
Proficient
Basic
Below Basic
Far Below Basic

11. STAR Reports
Test results
will be sent to
your home by
the end of
September

12. STAR Reports
Front Back
• Student • Strengths/Needs
Information in Individual Areas
• Bar graph showing • California Reading
scale scores List (CRL)

13. Performance Levels
Advanced
Proficient
Basic
Below Basic
Far Below Basic

14. How Can I Prepare My
Child for Testing Week?

15. Know the Standards
• Regular
Attendance
• Review
returned work
• Homework

16. Help Your Child Relax
• Do not over-
emphasize test
• Talk to teacher

17. Plan Your Schedule
• Get to school
on time
• Do not plan
doctor or dental
appointments

18. Speak Up
• Encourage your
student to
• Listen carefully to
directions
• Ask questions
about directions
that are unclear

19. Get Some Sleep
See that your child gets
his/her regular amount
of sleep before testing
days

20. Eat Up!
Make sure your
child east his/her
usual breakfast on
test days. Hunger
can detract from a
good test
performance.

21. Keep Informed
• Ask your child
how he/she did
• Expect results
in the mail
• Review scores
with your child

22. Take Action
• Check for major
red flags
• Meet with your
child’s new
teacher

23. Be A Cheerleader!
Encourage your child to do his/her
best!

24. Closing Activity
Write an
encouraging note
to your child.
Give it to him/her
before school on
the first day of
testing.