Documentation for SDP Star Outcomes Open Data Files

BACKGROUND

To use the Star Assessment outcomes Open Data files, start by reviewing the reference document “Star Tests in the School District of Philadelphia: A Summary of Metrics that Describe Achievement and Growth.” The document describes the two types of Star assessments—Curriculum Based Measures (CBM) and Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT)—and details the outcome metrics. Most importantly, it explains the scaled scores based on Star’s Unified Scale.

Please note: All requirements and exemptions outlined below were applicable as of the 2024-2025 school year and may change in future years.

Note on Reading CAT Scores for Grades K-2

Students in grades K-2 can take Star Reading, Star Early Literacy, or both assessments. If they take only one of these assessments, that exam will be counted. If they take both Star Reading and Star Early Literacy in the same cycle, the assessment in which they received the highest scaled score on the Unified Scale will be counted. Students in grades higher than 2nd may take Star Early Literacy, but scores from that exam are not included in metrics.

Notes on Star CAT Spanish-Language Tests

Star CATs are available in both Spanish and English. Generally, only results from the English-language assessments are counted, with the following exceptions:

Dual-Language Learners (DLLs)

DLL students are required to take both the English- and Spanish-language versions of Star Reading or Star Early Literacy in each cycle. The version in which the student received the highest score is counted.

DLL students can take either the English- or Spanish-language version of Star Math; the results of whichever exam is taken is counted. If the student takes both in the same cycle, the version in which they received the highest score is counted.

Newcomer English Learners

For students who entered the country fewer than three years before the projected PSSA/Keystone testing window, results from either the English- or Spanish-language versions of Star Math are counted. See below for Newcomer English Learner exemptions for Star Reading CAT.

High School

Results from Spanish-language versions of Star Reading and Star Math are not counted. This is because the Spanish-Language versions have not yet been normed at the national level.

For more details about the administration of the Star assessments for English Learners and DLLs as of SY2024-2025, please see the “Guidelines for Multilingual Learners’ Participation in Universal Screeners” document.

EXEMPTIONS

Students who are exempt from assessment administrations due to special education or newcomer/first-year English Learner status are not included in Star results. The exemptions are listed below:

Special Education Student Exemptions

Star Reading and Star Math CBM exemptions:

In grades K-5, students with disabilities are required to take their grade-level Star CBMs, with the exception of students whose primary disability classification includes Deaf-Blindness, Visual Impairment (including Blindness), or Multiple Disabilities.

Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and Star Math CATs

In grades K-12, students with disabilities are required to take Star CATs, with the exception of students whose primary disability classification includes Deaf-Blindness, Visual Impairment (including Blindness), Multiple Disabilities, or Deaf/Hard of Hearing (for K-2 students and Star Early Literacy only).

Students whose primary disability classification is Autism, Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, or Traumatic Brain Injury are exempt from the Star Reading and Star Math CATs if they fail the practice test questions that precede the CAT.

For more details on exemptions for special education students as of the 2024-2025 school year, please see the “Guidance for Using Renaissance Star for Students with Disabilities”.

English Learner (EL) Exemptions

First-year EL students are exempt from the Star Reading CAT. However, if first-year EL students take the Star Reading CAT, they are included in performance metrics.

There are no EL exemptions for the Star Math CAT or for the Star Reading or Math CBMs.

For more details on requirements and exemptions for ELs in the 2024-2025 school year, please see the “Guidelines for Multilingual Learners’ Participation in Universal Screeners” document, which also has information about Star assessment administration for Dual Language Learners (DLL).