STAR Reading and Math Assessments

Hilliard City Schools uses multiple measures to assess the reading and math achievement of students. It is important to measure the district against national, state and local expectations to ensure that the learned curriculum is rigorous and students are Ready for Tomorrow.
HCSD uses a national measuring stick as a universal screening tool. Results are used to ensure our students stand tall in comparison to other students across the country. In addition, data helps educators and parents know when students need additional learning supports. STAR Early Literacy (grade K-1) and STAR Enterprise Reading & Math (grades 2-12) results are used by teachers to monitor individual student progress. District leaders identify strengths and areas in need of improvement by use of the STAR tools, created by Renaissance Learning. Below is additional information to help families understand the STAR assessments for the benefit of their student.

Structure of the STAR Assessments:

STAR Enterprise Reading is given to all students in grades 2-8, and select courses and students in grades 9-12
STAR Enterprise Math is given to all students in grades 2-8, and select courses and students in grades 9-12
STAR Early Literacy is given to all students in grade 1, and selected students in other grade’s K-1
The STAR Enterprise assessments have 3 assessment windows per academic year
- Fall window: August/September
- Winter window: January/February
- Spring window: April/May
Teachers who have students on academic plans may use the Renaissance Learning assessments between testing windows to monitor student progress more closely
The assessments are computer-based and multiple choice
The assessments include between 30-40 questions covering Common Core Standards in Mathematics and Reading
These assessment have been set by the district to have extended time limits – the majority of students finish each assessment in 15-20 minutes
These assessments adjust question level to the academic level of each student

Structure of STAR Results:

Teachers receive a number of different scores for each student indicating their current level of academic progress in reading or math. Scores posted to Homaccess Accounts include:

- Scaled Score (SS) is useful for comparing student performance over time and across grades. A scaled score is calculated based on the difficulty of questions and the number of correct responses. Because the same range is used for all students, scaled scores can be used to compare student performance across grade levels. Star Enterprise scaled scores range from 0 to 1400. All norm-referenced scores are derived from the scaled score.
- Percentile Ranking (PR) is a norm-referenced score that provides a measure of a student’s ability compared to other students in the same grade nationally. The percentile rank score, which ranges from 1 to 99, indicates the percentage of other students nationally who obtained scores equal to or lower than the score of a particular student. For example, a student with a percentile rank score of 85 performed as well as or better than 85 percent of other students in the same grade.

Renaissance Learning norm references all students’ scores against their peers every three days. So for specifics on your student’s scores and their progress it is always best to check with your student’s teacher to get more detailed information on your student’s specific assessment administration. However, you can use the charts linked below to help give you a general idea of expected progress and growth over time. Also linked below, is a detailed list of additional scores available to teachers.

STAR Early Literacy & Reading Link

Unified Benchmarks and Cut Scores

STAR Enterprise Math

Benchmarks and Cut Scores – STAR Enterprise Math

Use of STAR Results to Impact Instruction:

After each administration, teachers will access detailed reports to identify the specific areas of strength and weakness in Mathematics and Reading for each individual student
After the Winter and Spring administrations, teachers will compare the Fall results to the Winter or Spring results to determine student growth