STudent Achievement in Reading STAR

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STudent Achievement in Reading (STAR) Adult
Education State Directors Meeting April 2008
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Background

• Student Achievement in Reading (STAR)
• U.S. Department of Education funded project
• Translates reading research into usable teaching
  strategies to improve adult reading instruction

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STAR provides comprehensive professional
development designed to help teachers improve
reading outcomes among intermediate-level adult
learners.
What is STAR?

• Online STAR Tool Kit
• Training Institutes
• Technical Assistance

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Goals

• Train teachers on how to use evidence based
  reading instruction (EBRI)
• Provide technical assistance to local programs to
  support EBRI
• Assist States to develop ongoing professional
  development to support EBRI.

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STAR Helps Adult Education Providers

• Understand the elements of evidence-based reading
  instruction for intermediate adult readers
• Identify necessary resources including staff,
  time, materials, space, and feedback mechanisms
• Develop systems and procedures at the classroom,
  program, and state levels that support the
  implementation of evidence-based practices and
• Make systemic changes to sustain evidence-based
  reading instruction.

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National Reporting System Adult Education Levels
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Intermediate ABE ReadersJohn Struckerjstrucker_at_
worlded.org 617 385 3716

• 1. Why are they important?
• 2. What challenges do they pose for teachers?
• 3. What about ESL learners?

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NALS IALS Levels

• Level 1 Approximately 0-6 GE skills (21)
• Level 2 6-9 GE skills (25)
• Level 3 High school-to-some post-secondary
  (31)
• Levels 4 and 5 College and post- graduate
  skills (18)

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Average literacy scores are expected to decline
between 1992 and 2030, with an increase in the
amount of inequality.

Less Proficient
More Proficient
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References

• Davidson, R. (2003). Assessment strategies and
  profiles. http//www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/Inde
  x2001.htm
• Davidson, R. Strucker, J. (2002). Patterns of
  word recognition errors among adult basic
  education native and nonnative speakers of
  English. Scientific studies in reading, 6.
  299-316.
• Kirsch I., et al. (2007). Americas perfect
  storm.
• http//www.ets.org/Media/Education_Topics/pdf/Ame
  ricasPerfectStorm.pdf
• Perfetti, C.A. (1985). Reading ability. New York
  Oxford University Press.

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References (cont)

• Snow, C. Strucker, J. (1999). Lessons from
  preventing reading difficulties in young children
  for adult learning and literacy. In Comings
  Smith (Eds.). Journal of adult learning and
  literacy, V. 1. http//www.ncsall.net/?id525
• Strucker, J. (1997). What silent reading tests
  alone cant tell you. Focus on Basics, 1, 13-17.
  http//www.ncsall.net/?id456
• Strucker, J. Davidson, R. (2003). Adult reading
  components study. NCSALL research brief.
  http//www.gse.harvard.edu/ncsall/research/brief/
  _
• strucker2.pdf
• Strucker, J., Kirsch, I, Yamamoto, K.
  (2007). Components and IALS. http//www.ncsall.net
  /
• Valencia and Buly (2004). Behind test
  scores What struggling readers really need. The
  Reading Teacher, 57(6), 520-531.

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Why target intermediate-level learners?

• Intermediate-level learners constitute a critical
  mass of learners served in adult basic education
  programs.
• Reading is a gatekeeper skill that is necessary
  for adults to succeed at secondary and
  postsecondary education.
• Intermediate readers may not be receiving direct
  instruction in particular areas of need

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Evidence-based Reading Instruction Integrates

• Empirical Evidence
• Resolves competing approaches
• Avoids fads and personal bias
• Professional Wisdom
• Allows us to adapt to local circumstances and
  operate when research is incomplete

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Four Reading Components
Alphabetics
Fluency
Reading
Vocabulary
Comprehension
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Promising Practices

• Diagnostic reading assessment
• Use of assessment results to shape instruction
• Direct and explicit instruction
• Learner engagement
• Relevance of instruction
• Continuous monitoring

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Tool Kit Tour

• www.startoolkit.org

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Changing Practice May Require

• Changes in teacher training
• Intensive training institutes
• Site-based technical assistance
• Change in intake, assessment, and placement of
  learners
• Changes in how programs allocate funding

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To Learn More

• STAR Networking Forum from 4-6pm in the Acadia
  Room
• STAR Video
• STAR Web Site http//www.startoolkit.org
• Send an email to projectstar_at_dtihq.com