STARI FAQs

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.

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)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.