A Parent’s Guide to Accelerated Reader
What is Accelerated Reader?
AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children's independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, you child takes a short quiz on the computer. Passing the quiz is an indication that your child has understood what has been read.
Teachers may assist pupils by:
- Guiding them to books appropriate to their ability and interests
- Asking probing questions as your child reads and before quizzing
- Pairing you child with others, reading with or reading to your child.
Since they are reading books at their own reading and interest levels, most children are likely to be successful and enjoy the books and quizzes. Best of all, they learn and grow at their own pace.
How can I help my child become a better reader?
As with anything, performance improves with practice. According to Renaissance Learning's research, children who read at least 20 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. Encourage your child to read at home, discuss books, ask questions about what they have read, and visit your local library.
What is a Star Reading test?
Star Reading is used to determine your child's reading level. It is a computer-based reading assessment that uses computer-adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child's responses. If the child's response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child cannot answer a question or answers incorrectly, the difficulty level is lowered. The test uses multiple-choice question and takes approximately 20 minutes.
What is a Book Level?
Book Levels are reported using the ATOS'" readability formula and represent the difficulty of the text. The levels range from 0.2-13.5. Books are chosen based on the ZPD (Zone o Proximal Development) recommended for each pupil by Star Reading.
What is a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Your child will receive a ZPD, or reading range, after taking a Star Reading test. It is important for children to read with high degree of comprehension and within their ZPD.
What are points in AR?
Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a points value. AR points are based on the length of the book (number of words). Pupils earn a percentage of points based on how well they pass the quiz.
What is an Interest Level?
The Interest Level indicates which age group a book is appropriate for, based on content and themes, These are recommendations only and parents/teachers are recommended to use their best judgement when guiding pupils/
The examples above have a book level of 4.0 since both have short sentences and simple vocabulary. However, Noughts and Crosses is intended for older students (upper ears), while Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile is intended for Lower Years.
How can I find further information?
Your child's school can help you to find out about your child's progress, for example, through the TOPs report or the Home Connect website. Visit AR Bookfinder at www.arbookfind.co.uk to conduct a search of all books which have an AR quiz available. Visit Renaissance Learning for more product information www.renlearn.co.uk