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Students consider various cultural perspectives in Professor Eddie Madril’s Ethnic Studies class. (Image courtesy )
TUHSD approves new ethnic studies course despite curriculum concerns
Michael SetonMarch 28, 2024

A new ethnic studies course will be introduced in the 2024-25 school year after a recent four to one vote by the Tamalpais Union High School...

The great divide of special education: the 504 plan
The great divide of special education: the 504 plan
Nina HowardMarch 28, 2024

As of 2018, up to one in four students at elite colleges were considered legally disabled due to mental health issues, learning differences or...

Boldly standing out, an outdated air system contrasts the nature of Redwoods campus.
The Impact of the potential ‘NO’ on Measure A
Emily Hitchcock, Web Designer • March 27, 2024

As the clock ticks down to see if Measure A will pass, its current ‘Yes’ count is at 53.8 percent, with 55 needed to pass. An estimated 50...

STAR testing to be replaced after this year

Students will no longer be tested using traditional, one size fits all methods
Students will no longer be tested using traditional, one size fits all methods

April: The birth of sunny weather, spring break, and for many students all over the state of California, STAR Testing. However, scholars may not have to fill in endless columns of bubbles while fantasizing about summer for much longer.

In fact, the current STAR standardized test will be phased out on July 1 of this year, and schools throughout the state are implementing Smarter Balanced, a new testing system.

While the STAR test is generally geared around standards set for courses by the state education department, programs like Smarter Balanced focus on pinpointing the level of understanding a student has in a specific area.

The computer-based program feeds students questions, and adjusts the test to the examinee based on the concepts they are answering correctly. This way, the program can target specific areas that students need improving, rather than subjects at a whole.

Assistant Principal Katie Foster said that she sees the value that standardized testing has at assessing the academic performance of students on a large scale, and noted that some of the most effective testing systems are those that are tailored to individual students.

Smarter Balanced is an organization in which 21 states across the nation work together to provide testing that measures mastery of the content students need to succeed in higher education and their careers.

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Mitra Ghadjar, Author