RSDSS/CTAP Region IV Tools
CTAP Region IV and RSDSS have collaborated to bring you these free tools designed to assist program improvement efforts. We have developed two free tools that use Microsoft Excel. The CST tool analyzes CST results from the STAR test. The Benchmark analysis tool is designed to be used with your local benchmark assessments including those developed in-house.
 CST Analyzer v3.1
This free tool is designed to help teachers analyze CST results for students in their classroom by subject and reporting cluster. This version of the tool is for manual data entry.
CST Analyzer v3.1 Raw
This free tool is designed to help teachers analyze CST results for students in their classroom by subject and reporting cluster. This version of the tool is for electronic data entry from the CST disk.
CST Analyzer v3.1 Raw Secondary
This is the companion for the regular version, but secondary math has additional reporting clusters. In this version, the reporting clusters for math are not labeled. The user can change the label to match the grade being entered.
CST Analyzer v3.1 Sample
This demonstration version of the CST Analysis tool has data from a previous CST test for a 4th grade class.
 STAR '07 Post-Test Guide
This document indicates the number of questions in each cluster. It also lists the average score for proficient students in each cluster. Use this document to enter the proper information at the top of the workbook for the grade level and subject you are analyzing.
 Data Driven Classroom Website
Data Driven Classroom developed a free tool for exporting results from the STAR testing disk to an excel file. This tool can be used to with the CST Analysis tool to quickly and accurately get results from the STAR disks into the hands of teachers. By importing our custom template into the tool, this process is even easier. Right-click on the following link and choose "Save Link As..."
NOTE: ETS changed how CST data is report in 2008 and split the data into two files. You will now need two templates to do the import.
Data Driven Classroom export template 1
Data Driven Classroom export template 2
Benchmark Analyzer v4
This free tool helps classroom teachers analyze the results of benchmark tests. Created in Excel, teachers can analyze strands and individual standards for the class, students, or intervention groups.
Benchmark Analyzer v4 training sample
Benchmark Analyzer v4 full sample
Automated Solutions
There are currently two solutions for scanning students results and directly importing them into the Benchmark Analysis tool. Although CTAP Region IV and RSDSS do not recommend a specific company or product, both of these solutions have been tested with the Benchmark tool to ensure they work well.
The AdvantageTM 1200 OMR scanner package provides advanced technology for scoring teacher prepared tests, surveys and ballots. Its use in schools and classrooms throughout the U.S., have helped reduce the time needed by educators to score tests while also decreasing the percentage of clerical errors.
Download this file to unlock the CTAP reports in the Datalink software. Apperson xml template Open the file to see where to place the file on your hard drive.
Zip-Scan is a portable, durable (3 year warranty) bubble-sheet grader that utilizes scanning forms you can print yourself. ZIP-scanTM attaches by USB to your PC, corrects your tests, and creates a data file that will directly import into any of the Benchmark Analyzer templates. The reports list each student by name and summarizes for each question not only which questions are missed but lists the actual wrong answer that was selected by each student. ZIP-scan offers a 30 day evaluation of their product so you can be confident of how well it performs and how easy it is to use. Call: 888-ZIP-SCAN (947-7226), or www.ZIP-scan.com
Sample benchmark results
ELA: 2nd grade ELA sample | 3rd grade ELA sample | 4th grade ELA sample | 5th grade ELA sample | 6th Grade | 7th grade ELA sample | 8th grade ELA sample
Curriculum Associates Benchmark Tests
The standards for Curriculum Associates Benchmark Tests have been entered and aligned in these copies of the Benchmark Analysis Tool. For more information about Curriculum Associates tests, visit their website:
1st grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
1st grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
2nd grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
2nd grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
3rd grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
3rd grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4
4th grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
4th grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4
5th grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
5th grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4
6th grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
6th grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4
7th grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
7th grade math: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4
8th grade ELA: Practice 1 ; Practice 2
Algebra: Practice 1 ; Practice 2 ; Practice 3 ; Practice 4 |
Advantage 1200Advantage 1200 by Apperson Printing
