What if education research didn’t just sit on a shelf, but started in the classroom and stayed there? In this first episode of SERP Stories, host Dr. Kala Jones lifts the curtain on a different kind of research organization, and invites listeners to join her in asking: What does it look like when research and practice truly work together?

This debut episode explores the adolescent literacy crisis and why middle school is a critical—yet often overlooked—moment for intervention, with insights from national experts and educators.

In this episode of SERP Stories, host Dr. Kala Jones traces the origin of STARI—a Tier II literacy intervention designed for middle and high school students who are two or more years behind in reading. Born from a deep collaboration between researchers and educators, STARI (Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention) reflects what’s possible when real-world classroom needs drive research design.

In 2014, the question was clear but daunting: could STARI succeed beyond Boston? This episode uncovers what scaling in education really demands—evidence, trust, and sustained commitment—and the lessons STARI’s journey offers to anyone working to grow innovation in schools.

What happens when struggling readers don’t just learn how to read—but start believing they are readers? In this episode of SERP Stories, host Dr. Kala Jones explores the transformative power of belonging, confidence, and academic agency in adolescent literacy classrooms. Featuring voices from teachers, students, literacy expert Linda Diamond and scholar Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, “The Readers STARI Didn't Give Up On” reveals how STARI helps middle-school students reclaim their joy, agency, and belief in themselves as learners.

Go behind the scenes of SERP’s new high school series. Dr. Kala Jones talks with designers, researchers, and teachers about what older adolescents need, how research shapes design, and what it takes to create rigorous, relevant learning experiences for high school classrooms.

Why are so many teens disengaging from reading — and what actually helps? This live conversation on the SXSW EDU stage brings together expert voices to unpack the barriers adolescents face and the evidence-based strategies that re-engage struggling readers, drawing on lessons from STARI and real classroom stories.

Event details: https://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP1161496

In this season finale, Dr. Kala Jones highlights key themes and insights from across Season 1, including what we learned about adolescent literacy, research–practice partnerships, and the stories that shaped this year’s episodes. A look back — and a look ahead.