Overview of the STAR Initiative

The STudent Achievement in Reading (STAR) initiative focuses on building the reading skills of intermediate level adult learners (GLE 4.0–8.9). STAR is explicitly listed as one of the ways in which OCTAE “supports states in meeting these new WIOA requirements”.

Years of research in reading methodology identified four "essential components of reading": alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and/or comprehension, and also found that mid-level adult learners need all four components to varying degrees, whereas emerging readers need more alphabetics and fluency, and advanced readers need more vocabulary and comprehension.

STAR, aimed at GLE 4-8, is therefore designed to work on all four components, with instruction aligned to the results of diagnostic assessments that identify learners' individual strengths and weaknesses. STAR programs that are run with fidelity to the STAR model have been found to be highly effective.

STAR Students Say . . .

• Understanding the meaning of difficult words is hard but with our group and the way we learn, it is easy to remember and use it each day.
• I am very happy because where I work, the people over there say... "Now we got to talk, because your pronunciation is much better to understand." ...Sometimes it is hard to come to school after a day of work, tired. But I come happy because here at school, I am always learning!
• Before I started to do assessment testing, I never know how much vocabulary I knew... I think it is helpful to know a lot of vocabulary not just to pass the Hi-SET test. It's helpful to communicate with friends, especially at work.
• The best thing is how the teacher helps us, we are divided by group, and each group is helped in the most necessary way.
• Since I started the vocabulary group, I have been using words in my daily life that I have never used before. Personally, I think that the vocabulary group is the best.

→ Year-long STAR Training begins each fall. Contact the SABES ELA PD Center for additional information.  

Learn More About STAR

HANDBOOK: Massachusetts STAR Handbook

TO THE POINT: WIOA, EBRI, & STAR

STAR VIDEOS:

• Four STAR instruction videos from Abisi Adult Learning Center in Lowell (director Betty McKiernan). These are best practice videos from the classrooms of STAR teachers Maura McCabe and Christina Cronin. Learn why they continue to teach STAR, and the progress students make. Hear from two students why STAR is important to them.
• STAR Sample DAR Administrations: Part One
• STAR Sample DAR Administration: Part Two
• STAR Vocabulary Lesson
• STAR Comprehension and Fluency Lessons

READ STAR TEACHERS' VIEWS:

• Why I Teach
• "One Thing We Knew For Sure"—Blending Science and Social Studies into STAR

NATIONAL STAR RESOURCES:

• STAR-Recommended Managed Enrollment Strategies and Scenarios
• STAR Tips and Techniques Newsletters (these include helpful implementation ideas)
• STAR Research Reviews, annual 
• STAR Resource List (2019)