The STAR project involved a major revision of the Supplementary Tests of Achievement in Reading, which was originally developed for NZCER under contract by Dr Warwick Elley between 1999 and 2003. STAR is used in a large number of New Zealand schools. The revision involved updating the items, developing new tests and developing a common measurement scale using the Rasch measurement model. The revision involved pilots of new items,  national trials and a norming study. NZCER involved a panel of teachers and literacy specialists in the process.

The development has been completed and the revised STAR Reading test is available for sale to schools.