April 14, 2023

Middle School Reading Intervention Study Opportunity

While much research has been done on early reading intervention, far less has been done on adolescent reading intervention, resulting in fewer reading interventions available at the middle and high school levels. Wisconsin has been invited to participate in a study of a reading intervention for students in grades 6-8 to contribute to the research and development of effective reading interventions for adolescents struggling with reading.

Twenty Wisconsin schools are being sought by the Strategic Education Research Partnership to participate in a study of the Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention (STARI) in school years 23-24, 24-25 and/or 25-26. Participating schools will receive all STARI materials and professional learning free of charge during assigned implementation years. STARI is designed to accelerate the reading skills of middle school students 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 reading comprehension and has the highest ESSA rating for evidence of effectiveness.

STARI has already been utilized in large districts in other parts of the country with positive results for students. This research study will allow the program to expand and be evaluated for its effectiveness with students, teachers, schools, and districts in more varied contexts and locations around the country.

See this informational video to learn more about STARI. If interested in participating, fill out this form or register to attend a webinar to learn more.

Informational Webinar: Monday, April 24, 3:30-4 p.m. Central Time. Webinar will be recorded, and recording will be sent to all registrants.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to better support struggling adolescent readers.

For questions about this opportunity, please contact Robyn Bindrich, DPI literacy consultant, at robyn.bindrich@dpi.wi.gov.