Kindergarten readiness in Mississippi

For 2025-2026, MDE used the STAR Early Literacy assessment, and cut scores were revised to the 56th percentile rank, placing students on course to end of 3rd grade reading proficiency (Levels 4 and 5). the 56th percentile falls within the Late Emergent Reader level for the beginning of the school year (Fall).

In the 2024-2025 School Year, the testing vendor was changed and new cut scores were established. A spring scale score at the 61st percentile was determined to place students on a path to surpass the end of 3rd grade reading expectations. The changes were as follows: Beginning of year (BOY) benchmark = 277; End of Year (EOY) benchmark = 347. The 2024-2025 scores are therefore not comparable to past years' scores.

The Fall Readiness Benchmark = 530: This is the score that is recommended on the state kindergarten readiness assessment at the beginning of kindergarten (Fall). Research indicates that 85% of students scoring 530 or higher at the beginning of kindergarten are proficient in reading at the end of grade 3. Students with a score below 530 usually need additional support. The Spring Readiness Benchmark = 681.

2025-2026 STAR Literacy Classification Levels:
Early Emergent Reader (200-682)
Students are beginning to understand that printed text has meaning. The students are
learning that reading involves printed words and sentences, and that print flows from left to
right and from the top to the bottom of the page. The students are also beginning to identify
colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

Late Emergent Reader (683-785)
Students can identify most of the letters of the alphabet and can match most of the letters
to their sounds. The students are beginning to read picture books and familiar words around
their home. Through repeated reading of favorite books with an adult, students at this stage
are building their vocabularies, listening skills, and understandings of print.

Early Transitional Reader (786-815)
Students have mastered alphabet skills and letter-sound relationships. The students can
identify many beginning and ending consonant sounds and long and short vowel sounds.

Late Transitional Reader (816-851)
Students are probably able to blend sounds and word parts to read simple words. The
students are likely using a variety of strategies to figure out words, such as pictures, story
patterns, and phonics.

Probable Reader (852-1100)
Students are becoming proficient at recognizing many words, both in and out of context. The
students spend less time identifying and sounding out words and more time understanding
what he or she has read. Probable readers can start to blend sounds and word parts to read
words and sentences more quickly, smoothly, and independently.

2024-2025 Istation's Indicators of Progress (ISIP)(trademarked) were binned by percentile ranges into Levels 1 - 5, defined as follows:
1. Least Ready  (< 21st percentile) 2. Less Ready (21st-40th) 3. Approaching (41st-60th) 4. Ready (61st-80th) 5. Very Ready ( 81st and above)

2014-2024 STAR Literacy Classification Levels:
1. Emergent    2. Transitional    3. Probable

Emergent (300-674)
Early Emergent Reader (330-487):
Understands printed text has meaning, can identify colors, shapes, letters, and numbers.
Late Emergent Reader (488-674):
Identify letters of alphabet, "read" picture books, and can read favorite books with an adult.

Transitional (675-774)
Mastered alphabet skills and letter sounds, can blend sounds and word parts to read simple words.

Probable (775-900)
Recognizes words, spends less time sounding out words and more time understanding what is being read.

For 2025-2026, MDE used the STAR Early Literacy assessment, and cut scores were revised to the 56th percentile rank, placing students on course to end of 3rd grade reading proficiency (Levels 4 and 5). the 56th percentile falls within the Late Emergent Reader level for the beginning of the school year (Fall).

In the 2024-2025 School Year, the testing vendor was changed and new cut scores were established. A spring scale score at the 61st percentile was determined to place students on a path to surpass the end of 3rd grade reading expectations. The changes were as follows: Beginning of year (BOY) benchmark = 277; End of Year (EOY) benchmark = 347. The 2024-2025 scores are therefore not comparable to past years' scores.

The Fall Readiness Benchmark = 530: This is the score that is recommended on the state kindergarten readiness assessment at the beginning of kindergarten (Fall). Research indicates that 85% of students scoring 530 or higher at the beginning of kindergarten are proficient in reading at the end of grade 3. Students with a score below 530 usually need additional support. The Spring Readiness Benchmark = 681.

2025-2026 STAR Literacy Classification Levels:
Early Emergent Reader (200-682)
Students are beginning to understand that printed text has meaning. The students are
learning that reading involves printed words and sentences, and that print flows from left to
right and from the top to the bottom of the page. The students are also beginning to identify
colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

Late Emergent Reader (683-785)
Students can identify most of the letters of the alphabet and can match most of the letters
to their sounds. The students are beginning to read picture books and familiar words around
their home. Through repeated reading of favorite books with an adult, students at this stage
are building their vocabularies, listening skills, and understandings of print.

Early Transitional Reader (786-815)
Students have mastered alphabet skills and letter-sound relationships. The students can
identify many beginning and ending consonant sounds and long and short vowel sounds.

Late Transitional Reader (816-851)
Students are probably able to blend sounds and word parts to read simple words. The
students are likely using a variety of strategies to figure out words, such as pictures, story
patterns, and phonics.

Probable Reader (852-1100)
Students are becoming proficient at recognizing many words, both in and out of context. The
students spend less time identifying and sounding out words and more time understanding
what he or she has read. Probable readers can start to blend sounds and word parts to read
words and sentences more quickly, smoothly, and independently.

2024-2025 Istation's Indicators of Progress (ISIP)(trademarked) were binned by percentile ranges into Levels 1 - 5, defined as follows:
1. Least Ready  (< 21st percentile) 2. Less Ready (21st-40th) 3. Approaching (41st-60th) 4. Ready (61st-80th) 5. Very Ready ( 81st and above)

2014-2024 STAR Literacy Classification Levels:
1. Emergent    2. Transitional    3. Probable

Emergent (300-674)
Early Emergent Reader (330-487):
Understands printed text has meaning, can identify colors, shapes, letters, and numbers.
Late Emergent Reader (488-674):
Identify letters of alphabet, "read" picture books, and can read favorite books with an adult.

Transitional (675-774)
Mastered alphabet skills and letter sounds, can blend sounds and word parts to read simple words.

Probable (775-900)
Recognizes words, spends less time sounding out words and more time understanding what is being read.