Business Development Consultant: STARI Position Announcement (Phase 1)

The SERP Institute, a nonprofit education research and development organization, seeks a part-time Business Development Consultant to help plan and support the dissemination and scaling of the Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention (STARI). This is a part-time, contract (1099) engagement open to consultants anywhere in the U.S., available immediately. The work consists of a 30-day market landscape assessment and recommended market development strategy. If the recommendations are adopted, the SERP Institute would extend the contract into a 6-month pilot.

About STARI

STARI is a Tier 2 reading intervention for middle and high school students reading 2 or more years below grade level. It uses peer work, whole books, and engaging discussion that motivate teens to participate. SERP provides the printed curriculum and asynchronous professional learning. STARI has ESSA Tier 1 evidence of effectiveness (evidence of effectiveness meets What Works Clearinghouse standards without reservations). STARI is in use in hundreds of schools across the country, including LAUSD, Chicago and New York City. STARI is recommended as a Tier 2 intervention under NYC Reads and on Minnesota’s approved reading intervention list.

The work

The SERP Institute’s goal is to map STARI’s opportunity for growth. Phase 1 of the work consists of market analysis and market development recommendations that this role would activate. If the consultant is successful, we will move forward with Phases 2 and 3 as described below.

Phase 1: Market landscape opportunity (30 days)

Analyze the uptake of the STARI program and provide recommendations for where to focus in the future:

• Combine information from sales, free downloads, and research study sites to get a clear picture of where and how STARI is currently being used.
• Identify districts and schools with potential demand for STARI, beyond STARI’s current anchor districts.
• Map the channels to reach these schools: university research centers, regional service agencies, PD delivery partners, and state intervention approval processes.
• Create a presentation and memo explaining which states, districts, regions, and/or partners SERP should reach out to and include corresponding outreach strategies and tactics.

Phase 2: Outreach strategy and activation (if continued): Set concrete goals for outreach. Initiate communication and develop interest with priority schools and networks.

Phase 3: Partnerships (if continued): Help interested schools adopt STARI and develop capacity for teaching STARI through professional learning.

Terms

• Rate: $85 per hour, up to 40 hours for Phase 1
• Timeline: Phase 1 deliverable is due within 30 days of the contract start.
• Location: Fully remote; work can be conducted from anywhere in the United States.
• Schedule: You set your own schedule. You must be available for scheduled meetings at agreed-upon times, during regular business hours.