Kindergarten

Readiness Assessment
Results
May 2015

Mississippi Department of Education

Page 1 of 7

May 20, 2015

Scale Score Explanation and Kindergarten Readiness Literacy Classifications

530 Scale Score Explanation
The recommended entry scale score for the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment is
a Benchmark scale score of 530. This scale score is associated with 70 percent
mastery of the assessed early literacy skills. Based on a four-year longitudinal
study, 84% of students at the beginning of Kindergarten with a scale score of 530
or above on STAR Early Literacy meet or exceed the criterion for proficient reading
at the end of third grade, which was set by a national standard setting committee.
Transitional Reader 675 774 Scale Score Explanation
At the end of kindergarten, it is recommended that students obtain a scale score of 675774 in the Transitional Reader Range. This scale score is associated with roughly 70-80
percent mastery of the assessed early literacy skills in kindergarten. While promotion and
retention are local decisions, it is not recommended that this score be used for
promotion and retention purposes. For more information on reading proficiency
indicators based on Renaissance assessments, please visit
https://resources.renlearnrp.com/us/learningprogressions/g3readingindcpr.pdf.
STAR Early Literacy Classification Levels
Emergent Reader (300 674)
Early Emergent Reader (300 487): Student is beginning to understand that
printed text has meaning. The student is learning that reading involves printed
words and sentences, and that print flows from left to right and from the top to the
bottom of the page. The student is also beginning to identify colors, shapes,
numbers, and letters.
Late Emergent Reader (488 674): Student can identify most of the letters of the
alphabet and can match most of the letters to their sounds. The student is also
beginning to read picture books and familiar words around the home. Through
repeated reading of favorite books with an adult, students at this stage are building
their vocabularies, listening skills, and understandings of print.
Transitional Reader (675 774)
Student has mastered alphabet skills and letter-sound relationships. The student can
identify many beginning and ending consonant sounds and long and short vowel sounds,
and is probably able to blend sounds and word parts to read simple words. The student is
also likely using a variety of strategies to figure out words, such as pictures, story
patterns, and phonics.
Probable Reader (775 900)
Student is becoming proficient at recognizing many words, both in and out of
context. The student spends less time identifying and sounding out words, and more
time understanding what was read. Probable readers can blend sounds and word
parts to read words and sentences more quickly, smoothly, and independently than
students in the other stages of development.
Mississippi Department of Education

Page 2 of 7

May 20, 2015

Scale Score Explanation and Kindergarten Readiness Literacy Classifications

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Spring 2015 Results
Classification Level Students
Early Emergent Reader
Late Emergent Reader
Transitional Reader
Probable Reader
Total

Fall 2014
19,068
19,464
1,651
262
40,445

Spring 2015
2,427
15,353
13,992
9,040
40,812

Classification Level Schools

Classification Level
Early Emergent Reader
Late Emergent Reader
Transitional Reader
Probable Reader
Total

Number of Schools
Fall 2014
Spring 2015
155
0
271
194
0
230
0
2
426
426

Classification Level Districts

Classification Level
Early Emergent Reader
Late Emergent Reader
Transitional Reader
Probable Reader
Total

Mississippi Department of Education

Page 3 of 7

Number of Districts
Fall 2014
Spring 2015
46
0
98
64
0
80
0
0
144
144

May 20, 2015