STARI On The Road: Key Takeaways From This Month's Conferences

This month, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with educators and students at the California League of Middle Schools Conference in Monterey, CA and the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, IL. These events sparked important conversations about literacy and learning. Here are some of our biggest takeaways: 

Student Voices Matter – At CLMS, students from March Middle School shared how they are “unlearning” old habits and embracing new ways of thinking. Their powerful reflections reminded us how critical it is to support students in developing confidence and fresh perspectives.

The Impact of STARI in Classrooms – Educators currently using STARI highlighted how the program has improved classroom routines and boosted student achievement, with many seeing significant gains in test scores. Teachers expressed appreciation for the high-quality materials and how seamlessly STARI integrates into their instruction.

The Need for Structured Literacy Support – Those unfamiliar with STARI were especially impressed by its foundational skills approach, leading to meaningful discussions about the importance of structured literacy interventions for struggling readers.

Making Literature Accessible – A key theme across both conferences was ensuring all students can access meaningful reading experiences. STARI educators shared effective strategies like scaffolding texts, building fluency, and integrating relevant materials to enhance engagement.

As we continue to expand STARI’s reach, these conversations reaffirm our commitment to supporting educators and empowering students with the literacy skills they need to succeed.

Mark Your Calendars!

Meet us at UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership in Seattle, WA from July 11-13, 2025. 

Educators in California, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, and Wisconsin: 

If you teach in one of these states you can get STARI materials and PD for FREE by participating in our STARI Expansion Study. 



NYC Educators:

On March 4th and 13th educators in New York City had the opportunity to experience Part I and II of our STARI Professional Learning Series. This virtual opportunity is open to all NYC teachers in collaboration with the AIS department. 

Be sure to finish the series by signing up for Part III on May 6th.

If your NYC colleagues are interested in teaching STARI, the next three part training series starts on April 2nd.

✔️ This is a three-part training – participants must attend all sessions to complete the full program.

✔️ While designed for teachers, instructional leaders are welcome to attend to deepen their understanding of STARI classrooms.

✔️ Sessions will be led by expert literacy specialists from SERP.

Educators Outside of NYC: 

Our asynchronous professional learning series is available online. This flexible, self-paced program allows you to explore STARI practices and strategies at your convenience. Access the Online Series: STARI Professional Learning Series

Stories From the Field: Why We Chose STARI

Three or four years ago, we started to notice that some of our freshmen were really floundering with our college prep curriculum. 

There's just not a wealth of resources for high school when you're looking for an intervention to help struggling readers. I went to our Area Education Agency and they recommended STARI. 

Since implementing STARI, we’ve seen significant progress. In the first year alone, 70% of STARI students made significant progress on their state assessment. We’ve been thrilled with how STARI strengthens foundational literacy skills for our struggling readers.

- STARI Teacher



What We've Been Reading...

The Mississippi Miracle in Reading – A key takeaway: The most effective literacy policies create real change in schools and classrooms. The 74.

Ensuring Our Schools Stay Strong – In a recent interview, SERP Board Member Carey Wright, underscores that education is the backbone of our nation’s success. Addressing challenges like teacher shortages and declining student outcomes requires evidence-based solutions that truly support educators and students. Bush Center.

Training Teachers Like Doctors – What if teacher training mirrored medical residencies? SERP Executive Director Suzanne Donovan explores how hands-on practice and mentorship can transform teaching. The 74.

Exploring the evolving role of AI in education - Examining student experiences using AI for scholarship essays. Guidance and resources for integrating AI into classrooms with TeachAI’s toolkit.

The Reading Comprehension Challenge – New research highlights how comprehension instruction often takes a back seat in classrooms. The Hechinger Report.

The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Students – Oakland high school graduates reflect on how COVID-19 disrupted their education and shaped their futures. The New York Times.