STAR Types and Purpose 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which STAR component was specifically designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities?
- California Standards Test (CST)
- California Modified Assessment (CMA)
- California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) (Correct answer)
- California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
Correct answer: California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA)
CAPA was designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the CST or CMA.
Question 2: What is the primary legislative basis that mandated the STAR program in California?
- No Child Left Behind Act
- Education Code Section 60640 (Correct answer)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Correct answer: Education Code Section 60640
California Education Code Section 60640 established the legal framework requiring the STAR testing program.
Question 3: The California Modified Assessment (CMA) was intended for students who:
- Are English Language Learners
- Have an IEP and meet specific eligibility criteria but cannot access the CAPA (Correct answer)
- Recently transferred from another state
- Score below basic on the prior year's CST
Correct answer: Have an IEP and meet specific eligibility criteria but cannot access the CAPA
CMA was designed for students with disabilities who have an IEP and meet eligibility criteria but whose disability prevents them from accessing the CST.
Question 4: Which description best captures the purpose of the STAR program's results from a school accountability standpoint?
- Rank schools nationally by student GPA
- Provide data used to calculate the Academic Performance Index (API) (Correct answer)
- Determine teacher salary increases
- Set individual student grade promotion requirements
Correct answer: Provide data used to calculate the Academic Performance Index (API)
STAR results were a primary data source for calculating California's Academic Performance Index, which measured school performance over time.
Question 5: How many performance levels are used to report student scores on the California Standards Tests?
- 3
- 4
- 5 (Correct answer)
- 6
Correct answer: 5
CST scores are reported across five performance levels: Far Below Basic, Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.
Question 6: The Stanford Achievement Test Series was included in STAR primarily to provide:
- A norm-referenced comparison of California students to a national sample (Correct answer)
- A criterion-referenced measure aligned to California standards
- A college-readiness benchmark for high school seniors
- A diagnostic tool for identifying learning disabilities
Correct answer: A norm-referenced comparison of California students to a national sample
The Stanford Achievement Test offered norm-referenced data, allowing comparison of California students to a nationally representative sample.
Question 7: Which grade range was the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) administered to as part of the STAR-related assessments?
- Grades 6–8
- Grades 9–10 (with retake opportunities through grade 12) (Correct answer)
- Grades 11–12 only
- Grades 8–10
Correct answer: Grades 9–10 (with retake opportunities through grade 12)
CAHSEE was first administered in grade 10, with students who did not pass allowed to retake it through grade 12.
STAR Types and Purpose 2
Which STAR component was specifically designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities?