Sight-word recognition and encoding are receiving increasing focus to support students in their literacy journey.

To help educators gain deeper insight into students’ foundational reading development, Renaissance is field-testing two new measures from now through May 2023:

• Sight and High-Frequency Words (grades K–3)
• Encoding (grades K–6)

Interested in using these new measures? It’s easy!

All existing Star CBM Reading users have year-long, early access and are encouraged to participate in the field test, at no additional cost. There are no special permissions, licensing, or training required.

From your Renaissance Home page, simply click “Record Book and Assessments” under the Star CBM Reading tile. The Sight and High-Frequency Words and Encoding field test measures are available when you select the “Rapid Naming, Sight Words, Encoding” option:

Sight and High-Frequency Word measures are one-minute assessments (multiple forms) where students read sight and high-frequency words aloud. Similar to existing Star CBM measures, scores are reported as correct per minute.

Encoding measures include untimed assessments in which a student translates a spoken word into a written word. Administration of Encoding is available for a whole class (using the same form) or individual students (using different forms). Scores for Encoding measures are represented by a percent correct, not correct per minute.

Because these measures are being field tested, scores do not include benchmarks. Students will receive a raw score displayed in gray, as shown below. Normed benchmarks will become available after the year-long field test is completed, beginning at Back-to-School 2023 (data pending).

For more detailed information about accessing and using these new measures, please refer to the Help File.