Fall 2012 ITBS vs. STAR

Sep 15, 2026

Fall 2012 ITBS vs. STAR report explains how percentile rank (PR) and normal curve equivalent (NCE) scores are used to interpret student math performance relative to national peers. It defines ITBS as a standardized achievement test for grades K-8 and outlines STAR Assessments for grades 1-12, including automatic scoring and report availability for monitoring growth. The document also presents comparisons involving STAR NCE and ITBS, CRCT background, and how assessment results support setting and tracking school and enrollment goals by grade level.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Assessment Score Concepts

Percentile Rank (PR) and Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE)

ITBS Overview

Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)

STAR Assessments Overview

STAR Reading

STAR Math

Fall 2012 Comparisons

STAR NCE vs. ITBS

CRCT and STAR Comparisons

State Standards and Writing Assessments

CRCT Purpose and Administration

Performance-Based Writing Assessments

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STAR NCE | Percentile rank (PR) and (NPR) is a norm-referenced score that provides a measure of a student’s math ability compared to other students in the same grade nationally. The percentile rank score, which ranges from 1 to 99, indicates the percentage of other students nationally who obtained scores equal to or lower than the score of a particular student. For example, a student with a percentile rank score of 85 performed as well as or better than 85 percent of other students in the same grade. Normal curve equivalent (NCE) is a norm-referenced score similar to percentile rank but based on an equal interval scale. This means that the difference between any two successive scores on the NCE scale has the same meaning throughout the scale. NCEs are useful in making comparisons between different achievement tests and for statistical computations such as determining an average score for a group of students. NCE scores range from 1 to 99. NCEs are used mostly for research purposes. DID YOU KNOW? Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a standardized achievement test for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The test is tailored specifically for different grade levels. Developed by the College of Education at the University of Iowa, the ITBS is used to monitor year-to-year progress and can help supplement teachers in their observations about student capabilities, such as what a student’s most and least developed skills are. The ITBS has been in use since 1935. The STAR Assessments are designed to provide information to teachers about student growth and achievement in grades 1-12. Students take the STAR reading and STAR math assessments and each one is scored automatically by the software. Teachers and administrators are able to view and print a number of reports at the individual, classroom, and grade level in order to monitor progress. Teachers can then tailor instruction to individuals and to high-stakes testing requirements. Our goals are based on our students' performance on the STAR Reading/Math and I’m proud to reveal that by December, our students had already met three out of the seven goals. STAR Reading The assessment provides an approximate measure of each students' reading level. Most assessmentstake less than 30 minutes. STAR Math The assessment provides an approximate measure of each students' math level. Most assessments take less than 30 minutes. Each year, many Evansdale students are required to take several types of standardized tests depending on their grade level. In preparation for these tests, and to enhance the student’s learning, Evansdale offers several types of assessments in order to help our teachers prepare their students. This report includes snapshots of Evansdale’s progress in many of these tests as well as a description of the assessments and standardized tests. When relevant, I’ve also included side-by-side comparisons of a standardized test and the assessment that helps prepare for that particular test so you can see the correlation between the two. Finally, you’ll find a breakdown of Evansdale enrollment by grade level. Take-Away Message: STAR NCE can be used to make comparisons between STAR tests and the ITBS. Since the initial STAR test and ITBS were given at the beginning of the first semester, it seems that STAR Reading and Math are harder assessments than the Reading Comprehension and Math assessments on the ITBS based on the data. Reading Comprehension Gr. 1 Math Gr. 1 Reading Comprehension Gr. 3 Math Gr. 3 Reading Comprehension Gr. 5 Math Gr. 5 2012 CRCT and STAR Comparisons Percentage of Students Meet ing and Exceeding State Standards 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 DID YOU KNOW? The CRCT is designed to measure how well students acquire the skills and knowledge described in t

FAQs

What do percentile rank (PR) scores indicate on these assessments?

PR is a norm-referenced score showing the percentage of students in the same grade nationally scoring equal to or lower than a given student.

How is normal curve equivalent (NCE) used compared with PR?

NCE is another norm-referenced score on an equal interval scale, making differences between successive scores consistent and useful for comparisons and research computations.

What are the main differences between ITBS and STAR Assessments described in the report?

ITBS is designed for kindergarten through eighth grade and is tailored by grade level, while STAR covers grades 1-12, is scored automatically, and provides reports for tracking individual, classroom, and grade-level progress.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Valentina