Extended Data Correction
Beginning with the 2008 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) administration, school districts will have the option of correcting student demographic data by means of the Extended Data Correction module. This module provides an additional opportunity for school districts to correct student demographic data after the Pre-ID data have been extracted by the STAR Management System and before the school district’s last testing date for a multiple-choice administration. Note, however, that Extended Data Corrections are not available for the California Standards Test (CST) and Early Assessment Program (EAP) writing administrations.
Extended Data Corrections provide for a higher level of accuracy of demographic data in STAR reporting and could save school districts the cost of post-reporting data corrections. While Extended Data Corrections will not incur additional costs beyond what is being charged for Pre-ID, school districts must be using the Pre-ID process to be able to use the Extended Data Corrections.
Demographic Edit Alert Charges
A charge of $1.32 per student will be withheld from a school district’s or charter school’s STAR apportionment if the school district or charter school did not provide any of eight specific items during the Pre-ID or Extended Data Correction period or if any of those items were marked by hand on student answer documents. This charge will apply if more than 3 percent per school of the CST, California Modified Assessment (CMA), California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition (CAT/6) Survey, Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS), or California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) student answer documents falling under these penalties were submitted for scoring. The eight items are as follows:
- Gender
- Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
- Primary Ethnicity
- California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) Enrollment—school
- CBEDS Enrollment—district
- Student’s English Proficiency
- Primary Disability Code
- National School Lunch Program
Please note that the process for demographic edit alerts detailed above is separate from the process for optional demographic data corrections. Those can be requested by the school districts and charter schools, at their expense, for use for the Academic Performance Index or adequate yearly progress.
2008 Student Data Files
Beginning in 2008, school districts and charter schools that test independently will receive three student data files that will be included in all CD-ROMs:
- A file containing student identification data, demographic data, and special testing information
- A file containing student identification data and accommodation and modification data
- A file containing student identification data, English learner test variations, irregularity data, sub scores, and EAP information
The Student Data Layout is posted on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at the STAR Web site (Outside Source). On May 28, 2008, ETS will conduct a Webcast about the CD-ROMs to introduce users to the contents of the files and the process for using them. The information will be available on the same ETS STAR Web site (Outside Source).
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
Requests for the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) insignias for 2008 high school seniors should be submitted to the California Department of Education (CDE) as soon as the eligible students are identified. School districts and charter schools will receive two GSSMD insignias for each eligible senior: one gold embossed insignia, to be affixed to the student’s high school diploma; and one black-and-white insignia, to be affixed to the student’s transcript (Education Code Section 51453 [b]). Some school districts have expressed concerns about not having a supply of additional black-and-white insignias for students’ multiple transcript requests for college or scholarship applications. For school districts having no extra insignias, it is suggested that the districts include a written notation on qualifying students’ multiple transcripts.
2008 STAR Apportionment Rates
The State Board of Education (SBE) has approved the 2008 STAR apportionment amounts as follows:
- $2.52 per student for completing demographic information and administering the CST–CAT/6 Survey, the CMA–CAT/6 Survey, or a combination thereof
- $5.00 per student for completing demographic information and administering the CAPA
- $2.52 per student for completing demographic information and administering the STS to Spanish-speaking English learners*
- $2.44 per student for completing demographic information and administering the Aprenda 3 to Spanish-speaking English learners*
- $0.38 for completing demographic information for each student not tested with the CST–CAT/6 Survey, the CMA–CAT/6 Survey, the STS, or the CAPA
Information to determine each local educational agency’s STAR apportionment amount will be based on the multiple-choice answer documents submitted for scoring the spring 2008 administration. The CDE will compile an Apportionment Information Report for each school district or charter school that is testing independently of the school district from the electronic student data files produced by the testing contractor. School district superintendents and charter school administrators will receive the apportionment information reports in a separate mailing in October 2008. The reports are to be signed and returned to the CDE by December 31, 2008.
*Funds will not be apportioned for the reimbursement of costs associated with the testing of non-English learners with the STS or Aprenda 3. State law does allow the testing of non-English learners with the STS. Costs associated with the testing of non-English learners with the Aprenda 3, a commercially available test, are the sole responsibility of the school district.
2007 Apportionment Information Report Waiver Requests
School district superintendents and charter school administrators whose charter schools tested independently of their chartering authority received STAR 2007 Apportionment Information Reports in late October 2007 to certify and return to the CDE by December 31, 2007. If a school district or charter school did not return a signed 2007 STAR Apportionment Information Report to the CDE by that deadline, the school district or charter school may apply for a waiver of the deadline, which will be submitted to the SBE for approval. The CDE is not allowed to release payment of apportionment funding for late reports without an SBE-approved waiver. The specific waiver request form and instructions for state testing apportionments are available on the at Waivers Web page.
If you have questions regarding the waiver request process, please contact the Waiver Office at 916-319-0824. Questions about the Apportionment Information Report should be directed to Mei Tan, Staff Services Analyst, STAR Office, by phone at 916-319-0346 or by e-mail at mtan@cde.ca.gov.
More Information
For information about updates on test administration set-up, ordering of materials, Pre-ID, and upcoming workshops and Webcasts, check the ETS STAR Web site (Outside Source).
