STARS program goes virtual

ALPENA, Mich. — The Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service plans its virtual reading intervention program known as STARS for kindergarten through third graders.

STARS is a program that identifies areas where K-third graders need assistance.  Coordinator of Early Learning and Instructional Services, Shellie Gohl, said Alpena Public Schools provide them with the student assessments so they know what level to begin instruction.

Gohl said the program has been successful and added that over the last decade the percentage of students qualifying for the special education program has dropped from 10 percent to 3 percent.

Because of COVID–19, they have implemented virtual live instruction.  Gohl said switching to virtual learning wasn’t a smooth process but once they worked out the kinks, they found the kids were learning.

To be a part of the STARS program, a child must be eligible and eligibility is based on their assessment scores provided by the schools.

Gohl adds that the program’s purpose is to make sure that each child is reading at grade level.