He didn't ceiling the test but his lower range is above his actual grade level. This year we got another paper associated with the STAR report. On it is a chart with the ZPD ranges in the left hand column, and columns for how many points the child should set as a goal for the nine weeks reading either 30 or 60 minutes/day.
Instead of highlighting the row that was closest to his ZPD, the teacher highlighted a row 2 lines before his level. I'm not sure if it was accidental, if the teacher can't read a chart, if she didn't believe the results, but now I'm inclined to think she had a reason. It did allow all those fun books to be included towards his point goal. He'll typically be reading a longer/harder book and then pick up a 'Bionicle' or similar book at school, finishing it in one day when he feels like fun reading. I tried to discourage him from doing that last year(reading 2 books concurrently) but it didn't affect his scores so I don't try to stop him.
I did pick out a book for him within his STAR ZPD results, but above the 'goal level' the teacher highlighted and the teacher allowed those points. So, I am more inclined to think the teacher highlighted a lower goal to include those fun books for credit. I get the idea from talking to his friends moms that I'm more involved with picking out his reading material than most parents.
