What is STAR?
STAR is a project from the national Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) that provides training and support for teachers of intermediate reading students in effective, evidence-based practices in the four major components of adult reading instruction:
- alphabetics
- fluency
- vocabulary
- comprehension
It is not a reading curriculum, but rather a reading reform initiative that includes professional development, tools and resources that expand participants' knowledge of effective reading instruction. STAR improves their ability to build local and state systems that support reading improvement. This year (2009-2010) is our second year implementing STAR in Minnesota.
What does STAR participation involve?
STAR training includes assessment and instructional tools for each of the four reading instruction components and provides adult intermediate-level reading teachers (grade-level equivalent 4.0-8.9) with ideas and tools that they can use in the classroom to improve student learning. During 2009-2010, teams (an administrator and several teachers) from participating ABE programs will:
- attend four training institutes (September 17-18, 2009; November 12-13, 2009; February 5, 2010; and March 11-12, 2010)
- participate in technical assistance activities
- implement evidence-based reading instruction ideas from the trainings
NEW! You can now earn 3 graduate semester credits through Hamline's School of Education, just by participating in STAR! The coursework is comprised of your work in STAR, plus one short reflection piece at the end of the year. Click HERE to find out more!
How can my program participate?
Programs for the 2009-2010 year have already been chosen (programs must apply as a whole; individuals are not eligible to apply).
However, if you are interested in finding out how to participate in 2010-2011, feel free to look at the FY10 application. Please direct any questions to Marn Frank, STAR Project Leader for Minnesota. E-mail Marn
2009-2010 STAR programs:
Adult Academic Program (Robbinsdale), Adult Options in Education (Hopkins, Plymouth Corrections, St. Louis Park), Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (Aitkin and Grand Rapids), Austin Adult Learning, Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative (Mound and Shakopee), Cass Lake-Bena ABE, Department of Corrections (Faribault, Rush City, Stillwater, Shakopee), Cambridge ABE, Glacial Lakes Consortium (Willmar and Hutchinson), Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning (St. Paul), Metro North ABE, Minneapolis ABE (Lehmann and Northside), Northwest Service Cooperative (Crookston and Thief River Falls), Osseo Adult and Family Learning, South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education (SHAPE), Volunteers of America (Minneapolis)
What is the ATLAS Program's role in STAR?
ATLAS partners with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to coordinate and deliver this project in Minnesota. ATLAS contracts with the STAR Project Leader, Hamline adjunct faculty Marn Frank, who participates in the statewide STAR Leadership Team and supervises the Minnesota STAR trainers. Marn also works with STAR participants throughout the project in multiple ways: hosting study circles, facilitating online learning for participants between training sessions, and providing follow-up with independent learning after training events.
The ATLAS Director also participates with MDE and the STAR Project Leader in the State Leadership Team. ATLAS convened the leadership team following a site visit by national STAR trainers to review training evaluations, plan follow-up support for participants, and develop a plan for sustaining evidence-based reading instruction. In addition, ATLAS staff assists with the selection of program sites and participants, as well as coordination of training sites and logistics.
For STAR Programs Only
Click here for exclusive STAR resources posted for your eyes only!
