09/23/09
11:56 AM

STAR Update

Dear Principals and STAR Site Test Coordinators:
 
Administrative Circular No. 14, 2010 STAR PROGRAM INFORMATION, was posted on September 3, 2009. Please review the circular for details about the STAR Program for this year.
 
IMPORTANT
There are 3 forms that were included as attachments to Administrative Circular No. 14 that are DUE October 23, 2009 (see attached).  It is imperative that your site completes the forms and returns them by the deadline.  Below is a brief description of each form and specific instructions to assist you in completing them.
 
Attachment A - California Modified Assessment (CMA) Test Material Order Form:  The CMA is now available for eligible students in grades 3-9 for ELA, grades 3-7 for Math, grades 7-11 for Algebra, grades 5, 8, and 10 for science (for grade 10 the CMA science is the grade-specific NCLB science, not the course-specific science). This fall, the Cluster Support Teachers from the Special Education Department have been assisting site staff in appropriately determining CMA eligible students.  Site Test Coordinators must collaborate with the special education staff and/or Cluster Support Teachers when completing Attachment A to ensure that the anticipated counts of CMA test-takers represent students who meet all eligibility criteria.  Attachment A must be completed and returned by October 23rd for all possible CMA test-takers by grade level at your school.  

Attachment B – Large Print, Braille, and Audio CD Order Form:
Students served by the Program for Visually Impaired and students whose IEP/ISP requires large print or Braille test materials will be provided with the appropriate STAR materials based on the information submitted by site staff on Attachment B. Students whose IEP or 504 Plan allows for the use of an audio-CD may participate in the STAR testing program with this accommodation/modification.  It is the responsibility of each school site to assess the need for such materials and to complete and return Attachment B by October 23, 2009.

Attachment C – Standards-based Test in Spanish (STS) Test Material Order Form:
All Spanish-speaking EL students who have been enrolled in a U.S. school for less than 12 months must be tested with the STS (Grades 2-11) even if they have never received instruction in Spanish.  In addition, all Spanish-speaking EL students who are enrolled in a Biliteracy Program, regardless of months enrolled in a U.S. school, must be tested with the STS.  Packets containing rosters of “potential” STS-test takers were sent to STAR Site Test Coordinators this week to assist schools in completing Attachment C.  Enter a “0” if your site has no STS eligible students. Attachment C must be completed and returned by October 23, 2009, even if your school has no Spanish-speaking English Learners.
 
Attachments A, B, and C must be completed and returned by October 23, 2009.  Completed forms should be sent to Denise Ormsbee at dormsbee@sandi.net or faxed to (619) 725-7070.  

Thank you.