Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Anyone familar with AR/ STAR testing Reading/ Math

DS7 just finished 2nd grade after a long school year that included a skip from 1st-2nd at the end of October (and a move from a new local charter back to our local public elementary- as they were the first to agree to the skip)

The change definitely improved his feelings about school - but he still had frustrations about the level of challenge.

When we paid for private WISC-IV testing, his PRI scores would have met the DYS qualifications. At the time, we didn't want to pay for additional tests (we felt the WISC-IV results gave us enough information to understand his frustrations with school).

As we evaluate how the grade skip worked and look towards next year- we are a little limited as his teacher got very sick the last few weeks of school and the team had to step in and complete end of year testing. A third grade teacher was able to print off his recent STAR tests taken at the end of the year. His IRL for reading was 4.7 which I think means his test performance is comparable to a 4th grade student in their 7 month of school? Math report did not provide a grade level equivalent- SS-608 PR- 89 NCE - 75.8

Anyone know how to interpret these tests?

His school marks for 2nd grade are all above average except writing where he is proficient.

At this point, if he continues to complain about boredom at school and continues to drive for challenge, should we pay the extra for the achievement tests needed to qualify for DYS? I feel like the school might be slow to respond to educational needs if we don't hit the ground running in the Fall.

And to be honest- it's hard to understand his educational needs in the first place.

His intensity drives me to advocate for his needs (I understand his frustrations and want to see him feel challenged and excited about school- it's alot of wasted time if you are not engaged in learning!) On the flip side, it is hard to view his ability as SO different that it warrants this high degree of attention at the elementary level.

Hils, I am not in CA and don't know anything about STAR testing - the only caution I'd have about STAR testing is if it's like our state testing, it does not test above grade level and you can usually find a summary online for each school re how many students tested "proficient" vs "advanced proficient" etc. Again, I don't know anything about STAR except that I *think* STAR is the CA NCLB state test.

One of my dds has gone to a school that uses AR testing to give a reading level - the way it's used here is what you've mentioned - a 4.7 would mean the student is currently reading (according to the AR test) at the level of a typical student who is in the 7th month of 4th grade. I don't put a *ton* of weight on the AR results - it's a brief test that is meant to test comprehension. My dd who has a reading (2e) challenge has bopped around on results on it quite a bit - sometimes she's behind grade level (slightly), but she's also tested ahead of grade level in spite of clearly being challenged with reading skills.

Re what your ds needs re acceleration - I would always follow your gut and listen to your child. OTOH, I wouldn't think acceleration was necessary based on a few grades out of level reading at your ds' age - reading scores are all over the place in early elementary, and being a few grades above level isn't all that unusual (it's not typical but it's also not out-of-the-box unusual). Re reading, I'd pay more attention to the types and levels of books your child reads at home and the kinds of information he's retaining from them and the kinds of questions he asks based on them.

Best wishes,

polarbear

I'm pretty sure the OP is referring to STAR testing from Renaissance Learning, the same company that does Accelerated Math and Accelerated Reading. It is different from the California achievement testing.

It's definitely Renaissance Learning from Accelerated Math and Reading. State testing won't be available until the Fall. It will be interesting to see how that went- probably much more helpful than a couple of assessments given to wrap up the year.

His current school does not have any GATE program or grouping. It's up to the teacher to try and differentiate. Since the "problem" seems to be that he learns concepts quickly and with little need to practice- figuring out some tools and resources to share with his teacher next year seems like the best way to make school a positive experience.

His ability is always noticed by his teachers- no question that the grade skip was the right thing to do (although it took some effort to make it happen). It just seems like few teachers have an idea of what to do with it- and mom and dad are trying to figure it out as well. Since he is fairly musically gifted/ talented, we spend too much on the music lessons he really LOVES too fund a private school.

I'm surprised you could get the STAR testing results now- normally they don't come in the mail until the end of august. Maybe the teacher glanced at his test quickly?
STAR tests are very, very simple. I would not rely on them to decide on a grade skip. For end of the second grade, they ask questions like: "Here is a clock. What time is it?" It's really an example of how the curriculum is dumbed down. You would probably get a better idea if you pay $500 for a Woodcock Johnson test, etc.

If you have one set of qualifying scores for DYS, it's possible you might not need another. All we had for DS was WJIII scores, and we put together a portfolio, and it was enough. You might check and see if what you have is enough before you pay for something else.