New STARI Study Published in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness
We’re excited to announce the publication of a new peer-reviewed study on the Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention (STARI), featured in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness on June 3, 2025.
Article Title: An Evaluation of the Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention (STARI) in an Urban School District During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Margaret Troyer (SERP Institute), Marie-Andrée Somers (MDRC), and Lowry Hemphill (Wheelock College, Boston University)
Read the full article here.
What the Study Found
This rigorous, preregistered study examined STARI’s impact in six middle schools within an urban district where only 25% of students typically achieved proficiency on state tests. Conducted during the 2021–2022 school year, when pandemic-related disruptions posed additional challenges, this evaluation offers compelling evidence that STARI works, even in difficult contexts.
Key findings include:
- Improved State Test Performance: Students randomly assigned to STARI outperformed control group peers on the state ELA test, with an effect size of 0.32—greater than the average negative impact of the pandemic on adolescent literacy.
- Broad Skill Gains: STARI students showed gains across multiple reading subtests, with effect sizes ranging from 0.15 to 0.32.
- Improved Self-Efficacy: STARI students reported higher self-efficacy (the belief that they can be successful at reading) compared with peers in the control group, with an effect size of 0.61.
Why It Matters
This study adds to the growing body of research confirming that STARI, an evidence-based, discussion-rich, and culturally responsive intervention, can help struggling adolescent readers build fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and reading stamina.
Notably, STARI's unique approach centers not on remediating basic skills first, but on engaging students in grade-level reasoning and discussion to accelerate reading growth. This design fosters motivation and cognitive engagement, key ingredients for lasting literacy development.
Get Trained This Summer
Educators can bring STARI to their classrooms by joining one of our live, virtual professional learning sessions this summer. These three-day trainings are designed to give teachers the tools, confidence, and strategies to launch STARI effectively—starting on Day 1 of the school year. Register here.