Star is also selected as Mississippi's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for an additional five years, supporting the state's foundational literacy initiative

BLOOMINGTON, MN (July 7, 2026) - Renaissance, a global leader in pre-K-12 education technology, is pleased to announce that the Mississippi State Board of Education has selected Renaissance Star Math as the state's Mathematics Screener for grades K-5, and Renaissance Star Reading as the state's Adolescent Literacy Screener for grades 4-8. All Mississippi public and charter schools serving students in these grades will use these assessments during the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

In March, the Board also selected Renaissance Star Early Literacy as the state's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for preschool and kindergarten students for an additional five years, from 2026-2031. Star Early Literacy was previously selected as the state's Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for 2025-2026.

"We are honored that the State Board of Education has chosen Star Assessments to help Mississippi educators measure students' math and literacy development-and to better understand students' learning needs," said Darice Keating, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Renaissance. "Mississippi has had tremendous success in delivering on its vision for excellence in pre-K-12 education, and we're committed to providing the state's educators with reliable and accurate insights to move learning forward."

The selection of Star Math as the state's approved K-5 Mathematics Screener is in accordance with the Moving Mathematics in Mississippi Program under the newly created Mississippi Math Act, which is modeled on the state's successful foundational literacy initiative. The Act mandates universal screening three times per year in grades K-5 addressing grade-appropriate mathematics domains and skill progressions. It also includes provisions for professional development for teachers and Individualized Math Plans (IMPs) for students shown to be at risk of math difficulties on the screening assessment.

The selection of Star Reading as the state's Adolescent Literacy Screener builds on the state's success in implementing Science of Reading principles and improving literacy outcomes in grades K-3. The new legislation requires universal screening three times per year in grades 4-8. Students who demonstrate reading deficiencies on the screening assessment are mandated to receive reading intervention, with regular progress monitoring to track effectiveness.

Both Star Math and Star Reading are highly rated for reliability and validity by the independent National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII). They are efficient for schools to administer and provide immediate reporting to educators, including instructional planning information to inform classroom practice. Together, Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and Star Math provide Mississippi schools with a comprehensive solution for screening and progress monitoring from the early grades through middle school and beyond.

Mississippi schools that are not currently using Star Assessments can learn more by visiting the Renaissance website or by reaching out to connect with an assessment expert.

About Renaissance

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Through our comprehensive suite of connected solutions, we deliver powerful, aligned tools that support teaching and learning at every stage.

Renaissance Intelligence, our first-of-its-kind Education Intelligence System, unifies assessment, instruction, practice, and curriculum in one AI-powered workflow, turning real-time data into actionable guidance that helps educators personalize teaching and make informed decisions with confidence.

We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student.

Contact for Media Queries Only

Kate Lilja Lohnes
Lilja Communications for Renaissance
(952) 893-7140
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