Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS)

General Information

The Standards-based Tests in Spanish are multiple-choice tests that are required for Spanish-speaking English learners. In 2008, the STS was administered to students in grades two through seven. The STS will be administered to students in grades two through eleven in 2009 and to students who meet the criteria for taking the end-of-course Algebra I and Geometry tests.

Items on these tests are developed by bilingual, biliterate California educators and test developers and are written specifically to assess students' achievement of California's content standards in reading/language arts (RLA) and mathematics.

Visit the STAR STS Blueprints page on the CDE Web site to see the STS blueprints.

• Will have been enrolled in a school in the United States less than 12 cumulative (not consecutive) months on the first day of testing; or
• Are receiving instruction in Spanish regardless of the length of time they have been enrolled in school in the United States.

At the option of the school district, schools may also test Spanish-speaking English learners who will have been in school in the United States 12 cumulative (not consecutive) months or more who are not receiving instruction in Spanish.

• Designated EO (English-only)
• Redesignated-fluent English proficient (R-FEP)
• English learners whose primary language is not Spanish
• Students in dual immersion classes who do not meet the inclusion criteria described above

Students who take the STS are required to also take a CST or CMA test (in grades three through eight only) and the CAT/6 Survey (if they are in grade three or grade seven).

2009 Test Materials

To be posted winter 2009.