Library 

Tracking Reading Growth with STAR Reading  

Article by Paige Witcombe,, Library Leader – Yirramboi Campus 

Over the past two weeks, students in Years 5–8 have completed their second STAR Reading Assessment as part of our Renaissance Reading program. The assessment provides a snapshot of each student's reading development and helps us monitor the progress they have made throughout the year. Unlike a traditional test, STAR Reading is adaptive, adjusting the difficulty of questions based on each student's responses to accurately identify their current reading level, which students can access immediately after completing the test. One of the highlights has been watching students' excitement as they discover their reading range has improved. It is a wonderful reminder that reading, like any skill, develops through regular practice and persistence, and that consistent effort is rewarded over time. 

Research shows that students make the greatest gains when they read regularly and choose books that are appropriately challenging. The STAR Reading Assessment helps teachers identify each student's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) - the range of book difficulty most likely to support reading growth and compare students' results with their first assessment. They compare measures such as the student’s percentile rank, predicted reading age and recommended reading range. Results are considered alongside classroom observations and Renaissance quiz data, ensuring each student's progress is viewed as part of a broader picture rather than a single assessment. 

Following the STAR assessment, students receive an updated personalised reading goal for the term. As they read books within their recommended reading range and successfully complete Renaissance quizzes, they earn points towards this goal within the platform. Students who met their Term 2 target were given a certificate and small prize to recognize their achievement. The program also tracks the total number of words each student reads, encouraging consistent reading habits throughout the year. Students who reach the remarkable milestone of one million words read will be recognised at the end of the year with a certificate at assembly, while our highest readers will receive book vouchers in recognition of their outstanding achievement. 

Parents can support their child's reading journey by asking simple questions such as: What are you reading? Are you enjoying it? Does it feel challenging enough? These conversations, together with regular reading at home, play an important role in developing confident, capable readers. 

Just 15–20 minutes of reading each day can have a significant impact on vocabulary, comprehension and overall academic success. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a love of reading and helping your child grow as a lifelong reader.