Finding Good Schools

There is a wealth of information about California public schools on the Internet. Access to some of the most valuable information can be found from the Schools section of this web site including access to the Standardize Testing and Reporting (STAR) results and the Academic Performance Index (API).

What is the STAR testing program?

One part of the state testing system is the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program. This program, administered anually between mid-March and mid-May, was authorized in 1997 by state law (Senate Bill 376). The purpose of the STAR testing program is to help measure how well students are learning basic academic skills.

Who must take the STAR tests?

All students in grades 2 through 11 must take the designated STAR tests except for:

• Students who were receiving special education services with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that specified that the students were to have an alternate assessment, and
  
  
• Students whose parents/guardians submitted written requests to exempt the students from testing.

How are the STAR test results used?

Teachers, parents/guardians, and students use individual STAR results to help monitor each student's academic progress. Individual student results are combined to prepare grade-level reports for each school, district, county, and the state. These results are used with other information about student achievement to help make decisions about ways to improve student learning and school programs. Stanford 9 test results also are used to calculate the Academic Performance Index (API) school reports. The API, a major component of the state 's accountability program, is used to rank the academic performance of California public schools, measure growth, and monitor progress over time.

What is the Academic Performanice Index (API)?

The API measures the performance and progress of a school. It is a numeric index or scale that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. The state has set 800 as the API score that schools should strive to meet. Schools that fall short of the target will be required to meet annual growth targets until the statewide target of 800 is reached. Schools that already meet or exceed the statewide target of 800 should continue working to improve the academic performance of all their students.

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