STAR Computer Based Testing Tryout

Jurupa Unified School DistrictOctober 1-10, 2012

Grades TestedRubidoux High School

Grades 10, 11 & 12 students who took End-of-Year Biology course in 2011-12

Van Buren Elementary SchoolAll grade 6 students who took grade 5 science

CST in 2011-12

The TESTTwo parts (30 items each part) 23 item student survey after the test

Test Item TypeSelected ResponsePros

Familiar and more traditional multiple choice true/false and yes/no answer selections

Option to highlight or strikethrough text or answer choices

ConsIn some cases, highlighter tool not working

properlyNotes

Many students used striker to cross out incorrect choices

Test Item Type Constructed Response/ Short AnswerPros

Graphics/animation EngagingProduced a response by using the keyboard or

dragging using a mouseCons

Students concerned about spelling/grammarNotes

Most students were engaged and gave good effort to complete the test

Test Item Type Technology EnhancedPros

Colorful graphics/animationStudents manipulate materials on the screen to

understand the materials at a deeper levelCons

Unclear directionsNotes

Students are not used to creating graphs on a computer

Students manipulated choices several times before submitting answers (like playing a game)

Test Item TypePerformance TaskSimulationsProsEngaging and interestingNew and surprisingGraphics/animation kept students interestedConsUnclear directions for some parts (some parts had

multiple items)NotesStudents seemed to forget they were taking a test

during this part

Hardware/Software Matters“Pause” test feature failed multiple times

Students had to log off/on to continue testingStudents could officially end the test

without answering ALL questions (could not log back-in to finish)

Easy to navigate from question to questionEasy to see number items

completed/incomplete

ResultsPercent scores were immediately available

after each sessionScores were only viewable by grade, not

by class or session