STAR Testing – That is a California standardized test that is given to students in grades 2-11. Teachers try to downplay its importance on the role the results reflect on the students. I have heard from many teachers say “it really doesn’t mean anything,” “it’s just informational for the Department of Education for future educational planning,” or “it’s for funding purposes.” Don’t let them fool you. Those tests mean a lot not only for the school but also for your child. Officially, the STAR is strictly for the representing school’s ranking within the state. If a school gets higher test scores, they get a higher budget. While it won’t affect their grades, it WILL affect future class placement. How do I know? Personal experience. My son wanted to go to public school after being in a public charter school. Since he is young for his age, the first question out of any principal’s mouth is “how did he do on the STAR testing?” I have come across it time after time after time. Knowing its importance is vital in being able to make decisions regarding your child’s education.
Schools really emphasize the need for your child to take the STAR assessment. Participation rates are set, and according to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, a public school is required to achieve a participation rate of 95% on any state testing. If a school has less than 95% of its students participating in any assessment, the school can receive a serious penalty from the state. That is why the schools emphasize the need for all children to take the test – so the school doesn’t get penalized.
When my son was in the 7th grade, he didn’t score well on his entry placement test for Algebra. His counselor decided to have him take Pre-Algebra in the beginning so he could get comfortable. Once he finished, he was to move straight into Algebra. Well, he finished the Pre-Algebra part within 4-5 weeks of the school year beginning. Every time we met with his teacher she would say, “Oh, yes, I need to get him his textbook.” Went on for months. Then came the STAR testing… He was supposed to be tested on the Algebra part, not the Pre-Algebra. Knowing that this test is important, I told his counselor that David wouldn’t be taking the test. Why should he as he never had a book? ”No, that is not an option,” I was told. “All students must take the STAR.” -- or do they?
Buried in the California Education Code is number 60615. That reads: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a parent’s or guardian’s written request to school official to excuse his or her child from any or all parts of the assessments administered pursuant to this chapter shall be granted. Guess what, students may be exempted from taking the testing if a parent writes to the principal requesting it. That was exactly what I did. I received a phone call from his teacher. While she was sympathetic to my situation and realized she had contributed greatly to it, he still really needed to take it. She still felt he would do just fine. I still stated that I would not be having him participate. Next came her supervisor. She stated that in the school agreement I signed, I knew that all students had to participate and that for him to remain at this school he had to take the STAR testing. Well, I countered that with the fact that state legislation trumps middle school rules. Then came the district supervisor. We had numerous conversations and she was quite annoyed that I was holding my ground. I wouldn’t have made a big deal out of it, had I not known what importance schools place on each individual student’s STAR results. The supervisor told me that the results don’t mean anything, but were for funding and that the school would be penalized if he didn’t take it. My response was, “then how come that is all principals ask for when we try to enroll my son? If someone has to be penalized, and I have to make a choice between your school who made the mistake, or my son who will be judged on his performance, which one should pay the price?” She never called back.
So, be aware that you can opt out of STAR testing. The schools don’t want you to know it, but yes, it is possible.
*As a side note, my son didn’t get into the other schools, not because he did poorly on the other years’ testing. He was too young and the schools wouldn’t take him. He did average and above average for his grade level (except for the year he didn’t take it), and considering his age, that was darn good.
