Menu
Our mission

To accelerate learning for all children and adults of all ability levels and ethnic and social backgrounds worldwide.

Connect with us
Noteworthy
What Kids Are Reading: 2025 Edition

What are the most popular books at each grade level? Can just 15 minutes of daily reading significantly impact learning outcomes? Get the answers in the world’s largest annual study of K–12 student reading habits.

Download now

Chart a path to reading success for every student

Award-winning K–12 reading assessment test

One K–12 comprehensive reading assessment test provides all the insights needed to guide literacy growth for emergent readers, struggling readers, and high achievers, whether you are testing in-person, remotely, or a combination of both.

Actionable data at your fingertips

Whether assessing in school or remotely, Star Reading transforms assessment data into action steps for educators, giving teachers helpful insights and tools to strengthen instruction.

Get recommended groupings of students based on both their scaled scores and benchmark categories or create your own groups for more effective small-group instruction.

For each instructional group, Star Reading uses the score range and median score to automatically recommend skills and instructional resources to guide reading growth.

See data on a broad range of reading skills appropriate to each grade level

Powerful reading assessment tools

Guide students to become proficient readers with a research-based, empirically supported learning progression for your state. It identifies the continuum of reading strategies and skills needed for students to reach grade-level proficiency and achieve mastery.

Reading: Literature

  • Key Ideas and Details
  • Character
  • Setting
  • Plot
  • Theme
  • Summary
  • Inference and Evidence
  • Craft and Structure
  • Point of View
  • Structure of Literary Text
  • Word Meaning
  • Connotation
  • Author’s Word Choice and Figurative Language
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
  • Modes of Representation
  • Analysis and Comparison
  • Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

Reading: Informational Text

  • Key Ideas and Details
  • Prediction
  • Main Idea and Details
  • Inference and Evidence
  • Sequence
  • Compare and Contrast
  • Cause and Effect
  • Connections and Relationships
  • Summary
  • Craft and Structure
  • Text Features
  • Author’s Purpose and Perspective
  • Word Meaning
  • Organization
  • Author’s Word Choice and Figurative Language
  • Connotation
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
  • Modes of Representation
  • Argumentation
  • Analysis and Comparison
  • Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

Language

  • Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
  • Word Relationships
  • Structural Analysis
  • Context Clues
  • Real-Life Word Connections and Applications
  • Vocabulary in Context
  • Antonyms
  • Multiple-Meaning Words
  • Synonyms
  • Word Reference Materials
  • Figures of Speech

Learn more about Star Reading

See sample items from Star Reading

Reading assessment test experience for students

Word Knowledge and Skills

Star Reading measures students’ knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, as well as their ability to apply vocabulary strategies.

See more sample items

Word Knowledge and Skills Grade Three test screenshot.
Word Knowledge and Skills Grade Seven test screenshot.
Word Knowledge and Skills Grade Ten test screenshot.

Comprehension Strategies and Constructing Meaning

Short passages ask students to use strategies such as self-monitoring, making predictions, drawing conclusions, and using the organizational structure of the text to improve understanding.

See more sample items

Comprehension Strategies and Constructing Meaning Grade One screenshot.
Comprehension Strategies and Constructing Meaning Grade Five screenshot.
Comprehension Strategies and Constructing Meaning Grade Nine screenshot.

Analyzing Literary Text

Students are asked to explore the plot, setting, character, theme, and point of view in literary text, as well as the characteristics of different genres.

See more sample items

Analyzing Literary Text Grade Two test screenshot.
Analyzing Literary Text Grade Six test screenshot.
Analyzing Literary Text Grade Eleven test screenshot.

Understanding Author’s Craft

Star Reading measures students’ understanding and analysis of an author’s use of language and literary devices to create certain effects.

See more sample items

Understanding Author’s Craft Grade Five test screenshot.
Understanding Author’s Craft Grade Eight test screenshot.
Understanding Author’s Craft Grade Twelve test screenshot.

Analyzing Argument and Evaluating Text

These items ask students to recognize, analyze, and evaluate arguments in persuasive, editorial, and academic writing.

See more sample items

Analyzing Argument and Evaluating Text Grade Four test screenshot.
Analyzing Argument and Evaluating Text Grade Four test screenshot.
Analyzing Argument and Evaluating Text Grade Four test screenshot.

Personalize instruction and target support

One reading assessment test, many uses

Older students with a teacher

Connected assessment, instruction and practice

Preserve instructional time while also helping you to drive greater student growth by connecting powerful assessments with instruction and practice. Star Assessments accurately place students into Renaissance practice products – Accelerated Reader, Freckle, Lalilo, myON, delivering purposeful practice and instruction to motivate and enhance student learning.

Learn more
Girl graduate

College entrance exams

As early as sixth grade, Star Reading helps you identify students who may need additional support to get on track for college and career readiness. See how students are progressing toward the ACT benchmarks for reading and English as well as the SAT benchmark for evidence-based writing.

Learn more

Learn more about how Star Reading can help transform assessment data into action steps for educators

Approved by administrators and teachers globally

“We knew that Star Reading was reliable. It predicted our overall district proficiency dead on—it was exact.”

Sherree Alvarez, Director of School Improvement and Accountability, Bradford County School District

Read the full story

Star Reading is available in Spanish!

Unlike any other K-12 assessment, Renaissance created learning progressions specifically for English and Spanish. You’ll be able to identify the skills students know in both languages and help chart a path to move them towards mastery.

Recognized by educators and industry leaders nationwide

Badge for an SOC2 award

SOC2 Report

Badge for an Edtech award

ED Tech Cool
Tool Finalist

Badge for an Tech Learning award

Tech Learning Awards
of Excellence

Additional Star resources

FL district is using data to improve state test

Success Story

How one FL district is using data to improve tests scores and encourage reading

Read The Story
Star Assessments brochure cover

Brochure

See the complete suite of Renaissance Star Assessments

Download Star brochure (PDF, 6.3 MB)

Discover the power of Renaissance Star Assessments

Explore features, review research, get funding resources, and more.

Understanding Star Reading

What assessments are included in Star Reading?

Star Reading includes computer-adaptive assessments that measure students’ reading abilities and comprehension skills. These assessments are designed to provide accurate and reliable data that can be used to guide instruction.

How does Star Reading measure reading abilities?

Star Reading uses a variety of measures to assess students’ reading abilities, including word recognition, vocabulary knowledge, comprehension, and fluency. The assessments are designed to be age-appropriate and aligned with state and national reading standards.

How can Star Reading be utilized in the classroom?

Star Reading provides teachers with a range of instructional materials and resources that can be used to support reading instruction. Teachers can use the program to create individualized learning plans for students, track progress, and provide targeted interventions when necessary.

Is Star Reading available online?

Yes, Star Reading is available as an online program that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This makes it easy for teachers and students to use the program both in the classroom and at home.

Can Star Reading be paired with other reading assessments?

Yes, Star Reading can be integrated with Renaissance Accelerated Reader. When used together, Star Reading and Accelerated Reader can provide teachers with a complete picture of students’ reading abilities and progress. Teachers can use the data from both programs to guide instruction, identify areas where students may need additional support, and monitor progress over time.

Want to learn more?

A Renaissance representative can provide you with a more detailed understanding of Star Reading and help you decide if it’s the right tool for you and your students.

Select your school

Searching for schools in ZIP code ---

Loading schools…

Don't see your school?