IT’S OUR BELIEF
in the right to learn that drives our passion to help shape our students of the present into pioneers of the future.
At Hawker Brownlow Digital, we believe that learning to read is a fundamental right.
Without the ability to comprehend and understand what’s being read, students may struggle to grow when trying to understand, interpret and navigate the increasingly complex world we live in.
We are certain that through our program, students can cultivate the abilities and skills required for reading comprehension and interpretation, as well as flourishing in self-confidence.
OUR DIGITAL READING COMPREHENSION PROGRAM
is a research-proven diagnostic and instructional reading comprehension program.
WE PROVIDE VALUABLE DATA REPORTS TO TEACHERS ON THEIR STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE
Our program diagnoses the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s reading comprehension ability. Because it works with any device, it's also a platform to bring learning to any place, at any time.
CORE READING
STRATEGIES
CARS & STARS Online assessments test student comprehension of the following reading strategies.
STRATEGIES BY READING LEVELS
Level AA
Pre-reading- Finding Main Idea
- Finding Details
- Putting Things in Order
- Understanding What Happens and Why
- Making a Guess
- Figuring Things Out
Level A
Beginning Reading- Finding Main Idea
- Recalling Facts and Details
- Understanding Sequence
- Recognising Cause and Effect
- Making Predictions
- Finding Word Meaning in Context
- Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences
- Reading Pictures
Level B - C
Early Reading- Finding Main Idea
- Recalling Facts and Details
- Understanding Sequence
- Recognising Cause and Effect
- Comparing and Contrasting
- Making Predictions
- Finding Word Meaning in Context
- Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences
- Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion
- Identifying Author's Purpose
- Interpreting Figurative Language
- Distinguishing Between Real and Make-believe
Level D - H
Main Strategies- Finding Main Idea
- Recalling Facts and Details
- Understanding Sequence
- Recognising Cause and Effect
- Comparing and Contrasting
- Making Predictions
- Finding Word Meaning in Context
- Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences
- Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion
- Identifying Author's Purpose
- Interpreting Figurative Language
- Summarising
HOW IT WORKS
1
THE PLACEMENT CENTRE: ADAPTIVE & REPETITIVE
The CARS & STARS Online program is based on reading comprehension ability, not year level. The Placement Centre evaluations repetitively test individual students’ comprehension skills in the core reading strategies across every level to place them adaptively in the appropriate CARS & STARS level. More than one level may be represented within your class. The program was designed with this in mind, making it possible to teach multiple levels within a single class.
2
Diagnose with CARS
Once the Placement Centre has put the students in their designated CARS & STARS reading level, the students will begin their five Pretests to diagnose their strengths and weaknesses in the 12 reading comprehension strategies. Ideally complete one Pretest per day, as promptly as possible. Once all five Pretests are completed, the students will fill in Self-Assessment 1 and tick the checkbox to send a copy to your email address. This will be used for planning.
3
A. Instruct with STARS
After completing Pretest diagnostics based on the students’ areas of need, six specific strategy lessons will be automatically recommended for the students to complete in order to remediate areas that need reinforcement. After the students complete these lessons, they may conclude the review lessons by answering 12 selected-response questions that focus on the specific reading strategies.
B. MORE PRACTICE WITH FOCUS Reading
FOCUS Reading is a new module for students needing more practice in six core reading comprehension strategies. This module is designed for flexibility. It can complement the CARS & STARS module, or be used as a standalone program at any time to provide concentrated practice either to an entire class or individual students. If your students are using the CARS & STARS module, once they have finished five CARS Pretests up to three specific reading strategies will be automatically recommended for them in FOCUS Reading. These recommended lessons can be used as additional practice in the reinforcement and understanding of the recommended strategies.
4
Benchmark/Progress monitoring
Throughout the year, the students will work on the five Benchmark tests to monitor their progress. Each Benchmark test requires between 45–60 minutes to complete and discuss. Benchmark tests do not need to be completed consecutively. They should be issued when deemed suitable and used to identify students who are unable to grasp the strategy being taught.
5
ASSESS MASTERY WITH CARS: DIAGNOSTIC
Upon completion of the STARS lessons and Final Review, students will begin the five Post Tests. After completing the Post Tests, the students will complete their Self-Assessment 2 and select the checkbox to send a copy to your email address. The students will take note of their Progress Chart to see which strategies they were strong in when they started, where they improved during the Benchmarks and which ones they have mastered at the end of the year.
SEE HOW CARS & STARS ONLINE ALIGNS WITH THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM 9.0
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING OF READING
CARS & STARS Online supports an explicit, structured approach to the teaching of reading that is consistent with the scientific evidence as to how children learn to read and how best to teach them.
A COMPLETE FAMILY OF PRODUCTS
Discover how CARS & STARS Online’s integrated teaching and learning system gives teachers the insights and instructional tools to differentiate and support student growth.
SUPPORT AND SERVICE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE REAL LEARNING GROWTH
TAILORED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our team includes education specialists and former teachers to help you get the most out of CARS & STARS Online. In-person or virtual sessions and online resources are designed to grow with your implementation.
ASSISTANCE YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON
The Client Support team is invested in your success. They’ll prove it to you by getting ahead of any issues, promptly addressing your concerns and delivering clear, expert answers to your questions.
DISCOVER MORE
FEATURES
Take Your Reading Comprehension to the Next Level!
Learn about CARS & STARS Online's premium features and benefits and how it could help your child or student improve their reading comprehension effectively and efficiently.
PRODUCTS
Choose a plan. Grow Faster with CARS & STARS Online.
We have different subscription plans depending on you and where you use CARS & STARS Online, as well as resources like stickers and posters to bring digital instruction into the real world.
FREE TRIAL
Experience the exclusive features and benefits with no obligations for 30 days.
All your data and progress will be kept safe if you choose to continue with the program, allowing a smooth transition into one of our premium options.
WHAT PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE SAYING
This differentiated program allows students to read texts which are at a level suitable for their current ability and leads to students being more engaged in reading lessons. As a result, they can experience success and improve their reading and comprehension abilities. CARS & STARS Online is an important part of the English program and we are seeing fantastic improvement across all years in students' reading and comprehension abilities.
Linda Samardali
Head of Department from Kinross College
I've found CARS & STARS Online has really helped in improving my children's reading skills. The skills were all clearly presented with a lot of samples and practice opportunities. The student report also gives the parents a clear guide as to which areas need reinforcement and which areas each child is strong in.
Shannon Zhao
Parent from Sydney
I have found CARS & STARS Online very beneficial, especially during our time teaching and learning remotely. The ability to track live what the students are doing was helpful to ensure that they were remaining on task and to provide feedback.
Brent Ritchie
Teacher from Haileybury
Now that I understand how to use the online program and utilise the tools correctly, I am enjoying using CARS & STARS Online. The ability to locate and download the different reports is phenomenal!
Amber Rains
Teacher from Kambala
I am a bit of a technophobe but using CARS & STARS Online has certainly made life easier and the kids have found it easy to navigate.
Jo Oram
Teacher from Prescott College Southern
CARS & STARS Online has become a very useful tool for my staff to implement effective teaching and learning programs. Having a tool that gives timely assessment results, meets students at their level of need and allows them to see exactly what students are working on in real-time is time effective and impacts on future goals.
The detailed assessment data generated by CARS & STARS Online informs the specific direction of their reading and comprehension teaching. Students report they enjoy the tasks and feel a real sense of accomplishment as they work through the lessons and assessments at their own pace.
Craig Brown
Principal from Toongabbie Public School
REFER YOUR SCHOOL TO CARS & STARS ONLINE
Do you like what you’ve seen and want to share it with your teachers and principals? Use the Refer Now button to send them an information pack containing the benefits of CARS & STARS Online (which include Australian Curriculum 9.0 teaching resources), supporting research, professional development information, pricing and available plans with just one click.
