Talk:STAR (software)

I will be adding more content soon. I created the page with the intent to flesh it out more, but I'll have to see if I have time to do so. I've read quite a bit about these assessments, since I need to use them in today's No Child Left Behind world of research-based education. If anyone wants to flesh it out more, feel free, please. Since these assessments are not interventions or supplements, however, I would rather avoid criticism regarding whether they work as part of the curriculum. Rather, let's discuss the softwares' assessment qualities--reliability and validity. That is, let's discuss if they measure what they say they measure and whether they measure it consistently. Chris53516 18:41, 17 March 2006 (UTC)

STAR: Old meaning
I'm not totally sure what STAR used to mean in Renaissance lingo. Anybody know for sure? I thought I had read it somewhere a long time ago, so I could be wrong. I couldn't find my source, either. Chris53516 20:34, 17 March 2006 (UTC)


 * It's seems that STAR stands for Standardized Test Assessment Reading, with for's, of's, and the's put in somewhere. My best guess is "Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading," which sounds pretty good. Chris53516 14:25, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Customizing quiz length
It may be worth stating that some of the quizzes can be customized. In STAR Reading (2.3), quizzes for Grades 1 and 2 have a standard of 60 seconds for EACH question, which can be extended to 180 seconds. Quizzes for Grades 3-12 use a standard of 45 seconds each for questions 1-20 and 90 seconds each for 21-25, which can be extended to 135 and 270 seconds, respectively. STAR Math (2.01) has a 3 minute (per question) time limit, period. This was not updated for versions 2.1 or 2.1.2. --JohnDBuell 19:52, 20 March 2006 (UTC)


 * I believe this customization is to allow more time for children with learning problems, like dyslexia or slow readers. If it is documented for the current versions of the software, then go ahead. I don't think it is worthwhile to report information on old versions, since the company changed the software for probably a good reason, and no one is really going to know enough about out-of-date software to be comprehensive. By reporting only the newest versions, this page would present the best information out there rather than somewhat speculative and out-of-date information. I would put this information under each software title since the variation in the length of time is dependent on the particular software title. Chris53516 14:25, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Design
I'd like to see more content on how the STAR assessments were designed in relation to Item Response Theory, but I don't know too much about the theory. Chris53516 18:54, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

Stand-alone installs
In either STAR package, in the stand-alone editions, you get: STAR Reading/Math Student, STAR Reading/Math Management (which can manage a single class or an entire school depending on whether or not it was configured over a network) and STAR Reading/Math Data Doctor. Those ARE the names of the three programs. --JohnDBuell 22:28, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Those are subcomponents of the software "STAR Reading." The copyright is on "STAR Reading." Check the product page. Nowhere will you find reference to the names you listed, and I'm sure if you check the copyright it's just on STAR Reading. What you're saying is like saying Windows is made up of "Control Panel" and "Windows Firewall" and "explorer.exe" etc., when all of these are really subcomponents of one unit, Windows. See? Chris53516 02:07, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I don't disagree, but what you were implying is that the splash screen IS of "Star" which would have to be three screenshots. Specifically, the screenshot is the splash screen JUST for Star Reading Management. Again, see the Windows Title bar in that image. --JohnDBuell 06:29, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
 * A screenshot of the actually test at work would probably be better. What is shown now is the teacher portal to managing student tests. The icons in the computer is named "STAR Reading - Management". I just don't think it makes sense to confuse people by implying that there is more than one STAR Reading or STAR Math or whichever. STAR Math has the same sections, and AM and AR have other entryways too. We shouldn't confuse people with it. It's the same with the Enterprise model--it isn't different software, just a different part of the same thing. Chris53516 14:10, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I may or may not be able to do that any time soon, considering I'm supposed to be on vacation! ;) --JohnDBuell 17:01, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Feel free to go be lazy. I do it all the time. :) Chris53516 17:04, 30 June 2006 (UTC)