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What is STARI?

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:32:33 GMT

STARI (Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention) is a literature-focused Tier II intervention for students in grades 6 and up who read two or more years below grade level. Using research-based practices and highly engaging texts, STARI addresses gaps in fluency, decoding, reading stamina, and comprehension.

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How can I schedule a demo for STARI?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:43:12 GMT

We are a small nonprofit and don't have dedicated demo/sales representatives, but please review the information below about STARI. If you have additional questions, please contact us at info@serpinstitute.org and we will respond.

About STARI - Overview

The STARI website has a plethora of information regarding what STARI is, how STARI works, how to prepare for STARI, professional learning opportunities, access to materials, and more. Here is a linked brochure that summarizes the STARI program, should it be helpful for your purpose.

All of the STARI curriculum workbooks and lesson plans are freely downloadable from our website once you register. You are able to print, copy, and distribute the curriculum units without limit for educational and noncommercial use. Should you wish to purchase pre-printed versions of the workbooks, you may do so through the SERP Store .

All materials available for purchase are identical to the materials currently downloadable from our website. The STARI program also requires the use of specific literature that is available through most major booksellers, though we also sell the titles for convenience.

Additionally, professional learning is available for STARI .

You may request a quote for professional learning, printed curriculum materials, and literature .

You might also find these pages helpful which provide an overview of the various materials and getting started with STARI:

Getting started with STARI
Get STARI Materials (see video at bottom for video overview)

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Can you provide samples of the materials?

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 19:51:38 GMT

All curriculum materials (student workbooks, lesson plans) are accessible via the STARI Download Center free of charge once you register for a free account. You are able to print, copy, and distribute the curriculum units without limit for educational and noncommercial use. Therefore, we do not provide printed samples. Should you wish to purchase printed versions of the curriculum materials or the literature, please visit the SERP Store.

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What are the reading levels for STARI?

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 19:52:27 GMT

STARI texts’ average text readability level is between 500-800 Lexile, roughly between second and fourth grade level.

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How does STARI address decoding?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:11:55 GMT

Decoding is a skill explicitly taught in the STARI curriculum. STARI lessons include decoding “mini-lessons”, and the texts that students read include the decoding patterns that are taught in STARI lessons. In this way, students have multiple opportunities to practice decoding, both in explicit instruction and while reading connected text.

See decoding scope and sequence for more information.

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Is STARI aligned with the science of reading?

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:13:05 GMT

Yes, STARI addresses both the word recognition and the language comprehension strands of the science of reading. Review STARI’s alignment to the science of reading for more information.

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Is STARI aligned with grade level standards?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:15:34 GMT

Yes, STARI units address grade level skills and standards, while simultaneously shoring up students' foundational skills. The specific standards addressed are listed at the start of each lesson plan.

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What is the evidence that STARI is an effective program?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:16:55 GMT

STARI has been evaluated in multiple randomized controlled trials, and has earned the highest rating (ESSA Tier 1) for evidence of effectiveness.

In one research study in Massachusetts, students who were randomly assigned to receive STARI outperformed students who received a different intervention on multiple components of literacy measured by the ReadBasix assessment (formerly the RISE). Students who received more of the curriculum (the full three units) showed more growth.

In another research study in Mississippi, students who were randomly assigned to STARI outperformed students who did not receive STARI on the state test. STARI students grew at approximately double the expected rate for middle school students. Learn more about the evidence of STARI’s effectiveness .

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How often/how long should STARI be taught?

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:17:58 GMT

Schools are asked to devote at least:

45 minutes, 5 days a week, or
90 minutes on an A-day/B-day schedule

Review Tips for scheduling STARI for more information.

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We are already at mid-year. Is it effective to begin now?

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:18:51 GMT

Each series of STARI is a full school year’s worth of material. Our research shows that students who complete more of the program grow more than students who complete only part of the program. Therefore, we encourage you to implement STARI for the full school year. However, if the school year has already begun, students can still be expected to benefit from a partial year of STARI.

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Can STARI be used for Tier 1 instruction, or is it only a Tier 2 intervention?

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:19:39 GMT

Students who struggle with reading need more literacy instruction than their peers who are on grade level, not just different literacy instruction. Therefore, STARI serves as a “double dose” of literacy instruction that should not take the place of core, Tier 1 curriculum. We recommend that schools devote 45-60 minutes, 5 days a week, or 90 minutes on an A-day/B-day schedule, to STARI, in addition to the traditional ELA course. Furthermore, although STARI addresses grade level literacy standards, it focuses primarily on reading, and does not include enough writing instruction to serve as a Tier 1 ELA program.

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Can STARI be used in a small group setting (perhaps 1-3 students)?

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:34:43 GMT

While it is possible for STARI to be implemented in small group settings, including afterschool programs, we recommend STARI be completed in a setting that has consistent attendance and a dedicated 45 minutes a day (or the equivalent on an A-day/B-day schedule) and with at least four students. We recommend that classes have at least four students, to allow for a contrast between partner work and whole-group work.

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Can STARI be used for a select few students within a larger general education classroom?

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:35:25 GMT

STARI is a standalone, Tier 2 program that is meant to be taught 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week. It is a teacher-led, discussion-based program. Therefore, it is not ideal for a few students to try to engage with STARI in a classroom where the majority of students are doing something else.

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Since STARI is in addition to ELA courses, is collaboration with ELA teachers beneficial?

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:35:55 GMT

Collaboration is recommended if possible but not necessary. Although STARI texts differ from those in standard ELA curricula, many teachers say that students benefit from using strategies learned in STARI in their other classes.

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How do I get STARI materials?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:05:00 GMT

STARI consists of printed curriculum materials and literature. You can either download and print curriculum and order literature on your own, or request a quote for a STARI Bundle, which combines printed curriculum materials, literature, and professional learning in one quote.

Optional: Watch Video about STARI Materials

Option 1: Register for a free account and download materials from the SERP Download Center (See “How to download STARI materials.” )
Option 2: Request a quote for a STARI Bundle to purchase printed curriculum materials and literature.
Option 3: Purchase STARI Curriculum and Literature a la carte from the SERP Store

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Do I have to do the STARI training to teach STARI?

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 20:24:44 GMT

You are not required to purchase STARI professional learning with the purchase of materials. However, we strongly recommend that everyone who teaches STARI should complete the STARI professional learning series. STARI is a teacher-led intervention, which relies on the teacher’s skill in leading discussions, and implementing specific routines for each component of the curriculum. Teachers who have completed the STARI training tend to be much more effective and confident STARI teachers.

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How much does STARI cost?

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 20:11:46 GMT

The cost for implementing STARI is variable, depending on how you acquire the materials for teachers and students.

STARI Curriculum Materials (Workbooks, Lesson Plans, etc)

STARI curriculum materials can be downloaded FREE of charge and distributed for non-commercial use. If you or your school district prefer, you may also order pre-printed materials from SERP’s print-on-demand partner. Assuming 14 students per class and three units each year, ordering pre-printed materials costs approximately $800/class/year. This is a yearly cost, but you may be able to reuse some materials each year (Lesson Plans, extra copies of workbooks, etc).

STARI Literature (novels, nonfiction texts, etc)

Some schools may have access to these books already or they can be purchased from many local and online book sellers. For convenience, SERP has partnered with a book distributor who offers below-market prices to enable ordering from one place, since some books may go out-of-stock quickly. The cost for books is variable based on series and volume discounts. If purchasing a full set of new books, estimates range from $900-$1,600 per class set for each series . Books can be reused year to year and shared between classes using the same series/grade level of materials, but you should expect to purchase some books each year in order to replace lost or damaged books.

Additional STARI supplies

STARI requires the use of timers and sticky notes on a regular basis. STARI also calls for standard classroom supplies on rare occasions, such as tape and scissors.

Professional Development

SERP offers online professional development opportunities. Licenses cost $375/person (discounted rates available for groups).

Bundle Orders

STARI curriculum materials, literature, and professional learning series purchases can be combined. You can submit a quote request for the Bundle Order.

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Is specific STARI training available?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:26:53 GMT

SERP offers online professional development opportunities . Licenses cost $375/person (discounted rates available for groups).

You may generate a quote for STARI curriculum materials, literature and professional learning by submitting a STARI Bundle Order request .

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Why are the curriculum materials free? Why isn’t everything free?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:22:48 GMT

Much of STARI was developed in the context of a SERP partnership with federal grants. A core principle of SERP is to provide partnership-developed curriculum resources as free downloads. Therefore, all the curriculum materials (teacher lesson plans, student workbooks, fluency passages, and ancillary materials like assessment guides) are available for free download in PDF form on the SERP Download Center . Printed versions of these materials can also be purchased on the SERP Store , which may be more convenient (and sometimes more cost effective!).

Each STARI unit requires a published novel and one or more nonfiction texts. These are copyrighted trade books which SERP cannot legally provide free of charge. These may be purchased through SERP Store , the STARI Amazon Store , or from your preferred vendor.

STARI professional learning was developed by SERP staff to support teachers in implementing STARI effectively. In addition to covering staff time and ongoing continuous improvement, SERP pays a fee to the online platform that hosts the professional learning. Therefore, professional learning licenses are available to purchase to cover maintenance and improvement costs.

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Should fluency pairs be homogenous or heterogeneous?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:53:40 GMT

STARI fluency pairs can be homogenous or heterogeneous depending on the preference of the teacher. There is no right or wrong way. The debriefs allow students to hear about other passages and all the fluency passages are on topics related to the book that students are reading at that time in the unit.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

Should the teacher read the text aloud to students, or should students read aloud to each other, or should students read silently?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:58:28 GMT

In partner reading and guided reading, it is critically important that students read silently, rather than students or the teacher reading aloud. Silent independent reading builds students’ stamina, decoding, fluency and comprehension skills. When students - especially struggling readers - read aloud, they are so focused on the performance aspect of pronouncing all the words correctly that they don’t have the mental energy left over to focus on comprehension. Reading aloud can also cause a lot of anxiety and stress for struggling readers. And finally, when a partner is following along with a disfluent reader, that partner is forced into disfluent reading habits, with their eyes tracing back over words and phrases that their partner repeats, or being forced to read more slowly than they are capable of. To support students to read silently, STARI breaks longer texts into small chunks with frequent opportunities for discussion with the teacher or with peers. These discussions allow frequent checks for understanding. Chunks of text increase in size over the course of the curriculum, allowing students to build stamina for silent reading.

Sometimes, the teacher lesson plans prompt the teacher to read aloud to students, particularly at the beginning of a unit or when introducing a new text. This is to help students “get into” the text so they are motivated to do the silent reading. And of course students read fluency passages aloud to one another. But the vast majority of the reading of novels and nonfiction texts should take place silently.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Comprehension

Is STARI appropriate for students with IEPs or those with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:41:05 GMT

STARI is designed to support students with a wide range of reading challenges, including students with diagnosed reading disabilities as well as those who struggle with reading for other reasons. STARI texts are written at lexile levels that are accessible to students who read two or more years below grade level. To address the varied needs of STARI students, the curriculum includes mini-lessons in decoding and comprehension, as well as offering fluency passages at four levels of difficulty so that each student can read a text that is at the right challenge level. Studies of STARI’s effectiveness have always included students with IEPs, and these students have always made just as much progress as their peers who do not receive special education services.

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What age groups are recommended for STARI?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:16:10 GMT

STARI is designed for students in grades 6 and up who are reading two or more years below grade level.

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What materials do I need for implementing STARI?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:44:39 GMT

To implement STARI as it was intended, you’ll need the following materials:

STARI Curriculum Materials (Student Workbooks, Teacher Lesson Plans, Fluency Passages)
STARI Literature (novels and nonfiction text sets)
Additional supplies: STARI requires the use of timers and sticky notes on a regular basis. STARI also calls for standard classroom supplies on rare occasions, such as tape and scissors.

Consider posting ideas for “What to do when you finish” with some activities that students can complete to deepen their understanding while others are finishing. You might include things like:

Write a 5Ws summary on what you’ve just read
Prepare notes for the discussion
Clarify new words/phrases
Write question to ask your peers or teacher
Identify your favorite line(s) of the reading and be ready to share why it stood out to you

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

Does guided reading happen in small groups or whole group?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:09:41 GMT

Guided/communal reading in STARI happens with the whole group unless a teacher has decided to divide their class into two groups. If your STARI class is larger than 14 students, we recommend considering running two groups for guided reading. See the Unit 1 Teacher Lesson Plans section on Guided Reading, which includes tips on running two groups.

If you decide to divide your class into two groups, the other students can be completing partner work while you are leading a guided reading group.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Comprehension

Is STARI effective with English Learners?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:46:39 GMT

Yes. STARI focuses on improving reading comprehension, a key academic skill for English learners’ success in high school and beyond. While STARI is not designed for newcomers, there is efficacy data (ESSA Tier 1) to support STARI’s use with intermediate and advanced English learners, including long-term English learners and American-born English learners. More information can be found at STARI for English Learners .

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Can elementary students use STARI?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:17:53 GMT

STARI is designed for students in grades 6 and up who are reading two or more years below grade level, and it is not appropriate for younger elementary students. While the skills taught may be the right fit for 4th and 5th graders, the content may not be age appropriate for these students. If you are considering using STARI with fourth or fifth graders, carefully review the content to ensure it is appropriate for your students.

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Does STARI include any writing components?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:45:56 GMT

Yes, STARI includes some writing activities that reinforce literacy skills. These include writing 5Ws summaries, preparing debate arguments supported by text evidence, writing short personal narratives and responses to comprehension questions.

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How do I know how many fluency passages to order?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:43:13 GMT

We recommend ordering fluency passages based on students’ anticipated fluency levels. Each student needs only one fluency level for each unit. They do not need all four levels. The total number of fluency passages you order for each unit (all four levels combined) should equal your total number of students, plus a couple extras for each level. Bear in mind that teachers may make additional copies if they run short of a particular level.

Fluency passages are written at four different challenge levels so that each student receives fluency passages at their appropriate level. Below, see our recommendations for estimated numbers. This assumes most students make progress throughout the year. However, this may be different depending on your specific student population.

Assumptions for the Percent (%) of Students in STARI at Each Fluency Level, By Unit

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What type of background/training do STARI teachers need? Do I need to be a reading specialist to teach STARI?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 20:30:52 GMT

STARI has been taught successfully by all types of teachers. The training is suitable for all teachers, regardless of teaching background.

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How do I identify students’ fluency levels?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 19:01:52 GMT

Students should work at a comfortable level of diﬃculty – their independent reading level. Unit 1 of each series has an introductory fluency activity (around Lesson 3) that helps teachers identify students’ fluency levels. The sample passage that students read in that introductory activity is a Level B. For more information, please refer to the Teacher Lesson Plans in Unit 1 of each Series, or the Fluency Levels in STARI handout .

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

Is 5Ws the only summary strategy, or are others included?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 18:12:48 GMT

The STARI program’s philosophy is that students benefit more from learning just a few strategies, with lots of practice, rather than learning a large variety of strategies. Students are taught to use the 5 Ws as a tool for summarizing text. Summarizing is the first comprehension strategy taught, and it is used throughout each Series. It is paired with Clarifying (in Unit 1), Predicting (in Unit 2) and Questioning (in Unit 3). Additionally, students are providing prompts for summarizing text-based arguments during debate preparation and participation.

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How can teachers support students with behavioral challenges while using STARI?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 15:45:29 GMT

STARI includes best practices that work well for students with behavioral challenges and include strategies like structured routines, clear expectations, and personalized engagement strategies. STARI teachers often report that students behave better in STARI classes because they are given the opportunity to feel competent and engaged.

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Can we have mixed grade-level groups?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 15:18:19 GMT

Yes. All series teach the same decoding and comprehension skills, so you can combine grade levels, if needed. Think carefully about which series is the best fit for the group’s age and developmental level, as well as which series these students might use in future years of STARI.

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Will STARI ever be accessible electronically for learners?

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:46:23 GMT

There are no immediate plans for STARI to be fully computer-based.

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Can my school/district get an in-person STARI training?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:33:47 GMT

At the present time, we have limited capacity to offer in-person training led by SERP staff. If in-person training is the best fit for your school/district, we strongly encourage you to consider the locally facilitated model described below.

STARI training options include:

Asynchronous virtual professional learning

This is online, self-paced STARI training. This consists of 17 sessions, totaling approximately 20 hours of content, to be completed over the course of the school year. Content is delivered through a combination of video and hands-on activities. Over 500 teachers have engaged in this professional learning to date. Cost: $375 per person, with volume discounts available, $45 per person printed training binder (optional)

In person, locally facilitated professional learning

We offer a comprehensive facilitator guide that allows someone who is not familiar with STARI to lead professional learning, using our videos and online resources. Cost: $3000 for a one-year license for unlimited use for non-commercial purposes, $45 per person printed training binder (optional)

Live virtual, SERP-facilitated professional learning

We offer live virtual professional learning, divided over three six-hour days (with breaks included). Registered participants are provided with a Zoom link to attend, and digital handouts are provided. Sessions include content delivered by video, and interactive activities using Slido and breakout rooms.

We sometimes offer open to the public live virtual training sessions, typically scheduled in the summer, at a cost of $375 per person. This cost also includes access to the asynchronous professional learning. We can also offer customized live virtual professional learning for interested schools/districts. This allows you to select your own dates, as well as include tailored content (e.g., how to access materials, feedback forms, etc). Cost: $3500 per day ($10,500 total) for a maximum of 100 participants per day

Questions about additional formats of STARI professional learning? Please contact info@serpinstitute.org

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Does STARI or SERP have a vendor number for my district, a sole source letter, and/or W9?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:24:55 GMT

SERP’s Vendor Number

NYCPS: STR231116

LAUSD: 1000016264

Chicago: 28349

If you would like SERP to become an approved vendor in your district, please email orders@serpinstitute.org with information on how to become a vendor.

Download SERP W9

SERP is the sole source provider for all printed curriculum materials and for STARI curriculum and literature kits.

Download STARI Sole Source Letter

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What makes a passage a “fluency passage”?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 19:07:00 GMT

Fluency passages are written by curriculum developers with the explicit purpose of building students’ fluency. They are written at four different lexile levels for readability, reinforce decoding lessons by including words with the specific patterns that are taught in each unit, and are on topics that correlate to the themes of each unit.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

Should students record words for clarification as they read?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:13:14 GMT

Yes. This strategy is taught during Unit 1 of each Series. Sometimes students use sticky notes to record words, sometimes they are directed to underline or write words down for clarification.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Comprehension

What do you do if there is a big gap in your group, such as having students that are at the lowest of the range but most of the group is performing on the higher end?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 15:45:00 GMT

Make partnership decisions thoughtfully. Will you pair lower reading students together for fluency work so that they have twice as many chances to access the fluency passage? Or will it be better to have lower reading students paired with a reader performing at a slightly higher level? Think about the supportive aspects of each of these pairings when making partner decisions.

Be prepared to offer more scaffolding for students at lower levels of proficiency. They may need a complex question broken down into multiple questions. But don’t deprive these students of the opportunity to answer complex, inferential questions! Make extensive use of Talk Moves , giving students a chance to Stop and Jot their ideas down before sharing with their partner or the whole group, and Turn and Talk with their partner before sharing with the whole group.

If particular students have trouble or are reluctant to speak in the whole group, use Talk Moves for Goal 2: asking students to rephrase or repeat what another student says. In this way, students can contribute to discussion without having to come up with a new thought or comment. Rephrase and repeat also gives students an opportunity to build on the thinking of peers who may be reading and comprehending at a higher level.

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What is the ideal class size? What is the minimum/maximum group size?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 15:18:53 GMT

We recommend about 14 ideally, but teachers have had success with smaller and larger groups.

We recommend at least four students. STARI students alternate back and forth between guided reading and partner reading, and create arguments for debates in teams. It is difficult to engage in these activities with fewer than four students.

We recommend a maximum of 20-22 students. Ideally, STARI classes are a little smaller than regular classes. This gives each student more “air time” to share their ideas about text and allows each student to get a bit more individual attention from the teacher. STARI students also often lack confidence to speak up in front of the class, and a smaller group can help them feel more comfortable. However, in some schools where smaller class sizes are not possible, teachers with strong management have been successful with larger class sizes.

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How long is one individual lesson expected to take?

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:48:37 GMT

STARI lessons are designed for a 45–50 minute instructional block. Each lesson includes a combination of fluency practice, vocabulary instruction, reading and strategy work, and partner discussion. Suggested times are given for each component of the lesson and can be modified to fit your class schedule.

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What is a facilitator license?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:34:51 GMT

Some teacher teams may prefer an in-person, collaborative professional learning experience, led by a local facilitator. A facilitator license provides access to a facilitator version of the online series to project to a group of participants, in order to lead collaborative sessions in person for non-commercial purposes. No prior knowledge of STARI is required for the facilitator. One printed facilitator guide is included with a facilitator license.

Cost: $675/license. Purchase of 6 or more teacher licenses is also required.

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Are there fluency routine lessons while students are reading the novel?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:07:22 GMT

Yes. The fluency routine continues throughout the unit.

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What do I do when students are absent? Is it difficult for them to catch up?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:15:10 GMT

STARI teachers have reported that student absences are the single biggest challenge they face. Of course, when students are absent, they miss valuable learning time. But to mitigate the effects of student absences, we have developed lesson-by-lesson summaries for the core novel in each STARI unit, available on the SERP Download Center. When a student returns from an absence, they can read the novel summaries for the lessons they missed. While this doesn’t replace reading the text itself, the summaries will allow them to participate in the day’s discussion rather than spending class time feeling disconnected.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Comprehension

What diagnostic tests do you recommend for placing students in STARI?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:20:10 GMT

We do not recommend any particular diagnostic test for placing students in STARI. Instead, we have recommended score windows on most major assessments .

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How long does it take to complete a STARI unit?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:13:34 GMT

Each unit contains 40-48 lessons, so if STARI is scheduled for approximately 45 minutes per day, a unit should take 40-48 instructional days. Therefore, teachers should be able to complete three units in a school year.

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What is a coach license?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:35:45 GMT

The STARI Coach Course add-on provides access to our full self-paced STARI teacher course plus exclusive coaching content, the Coaching Corner embedded at the end of each session. Each Coaching Corner includes targeted videos, activities, and resources designed to support coaching of STARI.

Cost: $575/license

For those who support classroom implementation of STARI as a coach, and also facilitate STARI professional learning sessions, we offer the Coach-Facilitator license, with access to both sets of content. Cost: $875/license. Purchase of 6 or more teacher licenses is also required.

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Are students responsible to read all 10 passages in each unit or are these choices and we only select 5 (for example)?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:07:54 GMT

Students read all 10 passages in a unit, in the order presented in the curriculum. Fluency passages are written to align with the text students are reading at that time---they build background for that text.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

Do you recommend assigning reading for homework?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:16:09 GMT

We have designed STARI lessons and homework so that students never have to take a book out of the classroom. In this way, fewer books are lost, and you are not relying on students having completed homework in order to participate in the discussion. However, you may choose to assign reading of different texts if you like.

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What criteria should we use to determine when a student should exit STARI?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:22:26 GMT

We strongly recommend that students remain in STARI for the full school year. A strong classroom culture is essential for STARI, and a number of culture building activities are included in the first few weeks of the curriculum. Therefore, we recommend that the student group should stay as stable as possible to preserve the culture. STARI is designed to be a one-year program, and our research shows that students who complete the full curriculum grow more than students who complete only some of the curriculum. Finally, STARI engages students with complex questions about cognitively complex texts, and addresses grade-level skills and standards. Students who read on grade level can still be expected to make progress in reading through participation in STARI.

However, we understand that some schools may prefer to allow students to “place out” of STARI. We recommend that in order to exit STARI, students should score on or above grade level in whichever reading assessments are used. See STARI Exit Criteria handout for additional guidance.

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Is the amount of time for each part of the lesson provided?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:49:04 GMT

The first page of each lesson plan provides an overview of suggested timing for each component of the lesson. As teachers work through the lesson plan, each activity is time-stamped.

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How should STARI teachers be evaluated?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:37:08 GMT

We offer a number of resources to support school administrators in evaluating STARI teachers. For example, we have a “look fors” document listing key behaviors to look for when observing the three major components of STARI. We also have an administrator version of the asynchronous STARI professional learning series. This includes Session 1 of the teacher professional learning (Intro to STARI), as well as a session on evaluating STARI teachers. This session includes videos with discussion and examples of exemplary, proficient, developing, and emerging practice for each component of STARI, as well as classroom videos for administrators to use to practice evaluating STARI teachers. Access to the administrator professional learning is free for administrators in schools that have purchased STARI professional learning for their teachers.

Contact info@serpinstitute.org to get access to these sessions.

Home > Training & Support

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What metric would teachers use to know when a student may be ready to move up a level with fluency?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 19:08:24 GMT

There is guidance in the lesson plans and in the assessment guides about when to move students up in fluency. However, in general, look for students who are consistently reading with 95% accuracy and 90% or more comprehension, while reading at a good rate.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

I'm having trouble finding the vocab words I need to go over during guided reading. Am I supposed to come up with them?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:16:33 GMT

The words that we recommend introducing are in the Interactive Vocabulary Preview box for every lesson that includes Guided Reading. Remember that you can substitute or add to these words, we just recommend keeping the number of vocabulary words to no more than 5 for each lesson.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Comprehension

Are there progress monitoring tools?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:23:00 GMT

Each STARI unit has an Assessment Guide that is a separate document available on our Download Center. Additionally, select lessons include suggestions for collecting formative data from specific segments of the lesson (e.g. fluency data, decoding data). The Assessment Guide for each Unit includes a listing of lessons that can be used to collect data on particular literacy components. Each of those lessons has a footnote within the lesson plan highlighting the data that could be collected from that lesson.

Home > Student Placement & Grouping

How many books do students read in STARI?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:49:31 GMT

In each STARI unit, students read a full novel in addition to one or more nonfiction texts related to the unit topic. Therefore, if students complete the full three units they are meant to complete in a school year, they will read three novels as well as multiple shorter texts.

Home > Curriculum & Materials

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Does each workbook have all of the fluency passages or do teachers select the appropriate level?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:46:02 GMT

Each student should only receive the fluency level assigned to them. There are four different levels of fluency passages. Early in every Unit 1, teacher lesson plans provide guidance on the process of assigning students to their fluency level. Once teachers have assigned student fluency levels, they can place only passages for that level into the student workbook.

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What if I have students where Passage A is too high/challenging for them? Should I find another passage?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:08:48 GMT

We suggest putting them at Level A and providing more scaffolds to help them with the text. Since the content of fluency passages is aligned with the unit, they would miss out if you substitute a different passage. Also, think about how these students are being supported with phonics and foundational skills in order to make progress toward being ready for the A passage.

Home > Instructional Techniques > Fluency

What series do I use with ___ grade?

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:09:15 GMT