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Recent Newsletter Articles
Stellar Alphabetics Ideas
These “stellar” ideas for alphabetics instruction were collected from participating MN STAR administrators and teachers during 2009-2012. Read More
Sound City Reading
This phonetic reading program website offers free PDF files of phonics books, workbooks, wall charts, flashcards, games, and activities at five levels. Materials are designed to be used sequentially, from the Learning the Alphabet through Basic and Advanced Phonics Patterns; however, it is also useful for older readers at beginning levels. Read More
Sample STAR Instructional Routines
This PDF resource offers nine STAR instructional routines collected from experienced STAR teachers across Minnesota. Each unique routine provides a snapshot of “what STAR looks like” and may offer new or different ideas for scheduling STAR classes and integrating, grouping, and moving STAR students. Read More
New Evidence for Persistence and Motivation
This summary reports on findings and conclusions from two recent studies on persistence and motivation in adult literacy programs. Read More
New Evidence for Fluency Instruction
This summary reports on findings and conclusions from two recent studies about relationships between fluency and comprehension in adult readers. Read More
MN STAR Successes
These inspiring stories of success were collected from Minnesota ABE program managers and teachers who completed Student Achievement in Reading (STAR) trainings between 2009 and 2018. They report positive changes in ABE programming, teacher knowledge and confidence, student performance or interest in reading, and volunteer engagement. Read More
MN EBRI Successes
These inspiring stories of success were collected over four years from Minnesota ABE reading teachers who completed Evidence-Based Reading Instruction (EBRI) Study Circles. They report positive changes in ABE programming, teacher knowledge and confidence, and student performance or interest in the reading process. Read More
Making Skills Everybody’s Business: A Call to Transform Adult Learning in the United States
This report examines a global survey from 2013, which found that the U.S. has higher rates of low-skilled adults than other industrialized countries. It proposes 7 strategies for making foundational skill development more prevalent, efficient, effective, and convenient across the country. Read More
Making It Worth the Stay
The New England learner persistence report. Read More
Is Fluent, Expressive Reading Important for High School Readers?
This article examines the relationship between oral prosody (phrasing and expression) and silent reading comprehension for secondary readers. The study recommends teacher modeling and whole-class choral reading of passages from literature, social studies, and science content materials. Read More