Occasionally, educators ask us about the difference, comparisons, or integration of the Reading Horizons online reading program and STAR (Student Achievement in Reading).
About STAR
STAR is part of The National STAR Training Network (NSTN) that represents national and state experts in reading instruction, state and federal policymakers, and practitioners – all working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education to improve adult reading.
STAR is NOT a reading curriculum. It is a reading reform initiative that includes professional development, tools, and resources that will expand participants' knowledge of effective reading instruction and improve their ability to build local and state adult basic education systems that support reading improvement.
What is Evidence-based Reading Research?
STAR is based on a body of research that is summarized in a report published by the Partnership for Reading entitled, Research-based Principles for Adult Basic Education Reading Instruction written by John Kruidenier. STAR supports evidence-based reading instruction (Phonemic Awarenes) which integrates the research found in the above report with practitioner wisdom. After reviewing the 130 page document, I pulled out a few little gems to share with your today:
- Adult non-readers have virtually no phonemic awareness or ability.
- Adult beginning readers have difficulty applying letter-sound knowledge in order to figure out new words while reading.
- Phonemic awareness and/or word analysis may lead to increased achievement in other aspects of reading.
- To improve beginning and intermediate readers’ ability to decode regularly spelled words and read familiar sight words, teach phonemic awareness.
- Phonemic awareness training may be most effective if provided immediately to adult non-readers and those just beginning to read.
- To teach decoding of regularly spelled words and recognition of irregularly spelled sight words to adult beginning and intermediate readers, use systematic as opposed to non-systematic phonics instruction.
How Does Reading Horizons Integrate with STAR?
Beautifully. Thank you. Reading Horizons v5 is the perfect complement to STAR effectively addressing comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. Our online reading software and direct instruction materials offer a proven, time-tested solution that uses systematic, explicit phonics instruction using our unique marking system that gives struggling readers the tools they need to decode unfamiliar words quickly and accurately.
Thousands of teachers have reported the positive outcomes that Reading Horizons v5 has on adolescents and adults with reading problems. Reading Horizons is the preferred choice for remedial reading programs in colleges, correctional facilities, and Job Corps. Follow these links to read Reviews and Success Stories.