Technical Manual - Renaissance Learning

Psychometric Research Supporting STAR Early Literacy EnterpriseItem CalibrationIn addition to the sample characteristics summarized in Table 8, additionalinformation about participating schools and students was collected. Thisinformation is summarized in Table 9, Table 10, and Table 11. These tables alsoinclude national figures based on 2001 data provided by MDR.Table 9: School Locations, STAR Early Literacy Calibration Study, Fall 2000(N = 308 Schools, 32,493 Students)SchoolsStudentsNational % Sample % National % Sample %Urban 27.8 24.7 30.9 23.4Suburban 38.3 31.2 43.5 31.7Rural 33.2 43.8 24.8 44.6Unclassified 0.7 0.3 0.7 0.3Table 10:Nonpublic School Affiliations, STAR Early Literacy Calibration Study,Fall 2000 (N = 36 Schools, 3,056 Students)SchoolsStudentsNational % Sample % National % Sample %Catholic 39.7 68.6 51.8 72.3Other 60.3 31.4 48.2 27.7Table 11: Ethnic Group Participation, STAR Early Literacy Calibration Study, Fall 2000(N = 32,493 Students)StudentsNational % Sample %Ethnic Group Asian 3.4 0.7Black 14.5 9.3Hispanic 12.7 6.7Native American 0.9 0.4White 54.7 38.8Unclassified 13.8 44.0Recruitment letters and applications were sent to all the candidate schools in thematrix. The response rate was monitored and additional follow-up was conductedas needed to ensure that the calibration sample met minimum student numberrequirements per grade.STAR Early LiteracyTechnical Manual39