Accelerated Reader® Accelerated Reader® 101 for Parents101 for Parents

Accelerated Reader® Accelerated Reader® 101 for Parents101 for Parents

Everything you wanted to know Everything you wanted to know and more!and more!

What is Accelerated Reader ®?

• Computerized learning information system

• Assessment tool (monitor)• Diagnostic tool (manage)• Motivational tool

How does it work?

• Student reads a book marked “AR”• Student logs in to AR program• Student selects the quiz for that

book• Student answers between 5 and

20 questions on the title read

Then what?

• Teacher gets test results• Diagnostic reports give teachers

valuable information on students’ reading practice and literacy skills development

• Teacher then guides student towards reading materials within their ZPD for improvement

What is “ZPD?”

• Zone of Proximal Difference– The range of book readability levels

that will result in optimal growth in reading ability.

– The range of books that will challenge a student without causing frustration or loss of motivation

How does AR determine

“readability”?

• AR’s own formula (ATOS)• Three variables

– Words per sentence– Average grade level of those words– Characters per word

• Does NOT factor in theme appropriateness!

How is my student’s ZPD determined?

• STAR Reader (Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading)– A series of 25 fill-in-the-blank

questions that ask students to select appropriate vocabulary words to complete a sentence

– Computer-adaptive: questions adjust in level as questions are answered

How are “goals” set?

• Based on STAR results– ZPD– 30 minutes of reading practice daily

per 18-week semester– Adjustable by teacher as necessary in

his/her professional judgment

How do students reach their goals?

• Picture books are typically “worth” 0.5 points

• “Chapter” book points determined by length

• Points earned based on “percent correct” on test (score of 80 on test earns 80% of book’s point value)

Quality reading is indicated by an average quiz score of 85% to 92%

Does my student HAVE to read an AR book?

• Check with your classroom teacher– 4th and 5th grade have AR requirements– Lower grades also provide incentives for

points earned and tests passed

• Midvale owns over 3,000 tests!– Many choices for every reading level

How can I help my student?

• Make sure s/he is reading “just right” books

• Help him/her select books within their ZPD

• Let your student read some of his/her book to you

• Ask about what s/he’s reading!

How do I know if my student’s book is AR?

• Midvale books are marked on the spine• Access our list of quizzes on the Media

Center portion of our website!• http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~midvale• Quizzes listed by Title, Author, and

Readability Level

Need More Info?

• Talk to your student’s homeroom teacher

• See Mrs. Grigsby in the Media Center

• See PTA’s AR Chairperson

Happy Reading!