Accelerated Reader Program for Student Success

1. Accelerated Reader An Introduction Presented by Wyndi Evans and Jamie Evans September 20, 2007

2. Retrieved from http://www.fcrr.org/FCRRReports/PDF/Accelerated_Reader.pdf

3. STAR Reading • Step number 1 is to administer the STAR Reading test. • Students must have a sight word vocabulary of at least 100 words to take the test. • This test provides you with the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). This range is used to determine the student’s book level. • Each test should take approximately 10 minutes.

4. STAR Reading cont. • The test consists of 20 – 25 vocabulary items. • First Graders have a limit of 60 seconds per question. • A warning clock appears when students only have 15 seconds left. • STAR test is given 4 times year, at the end of each nine weeks. • The test results will measure a student’s growth over the year’s time.

5. Kindergarten Students • Kindergarten students begin working with AR when the k.3 curriculum cluster is introduced. • Teachers begin by reading a book to the class several times, and then together the class takes an AR test in the computer lab. • Once kindergarteners are reading independently, their teacher will allow them to begin using the AR program on their own.

6. AR Levels Each AR level corresponds with a color. The colors and levels are as follows: Blue levels include 0.2, 0.3, 0.4…1.5 Red = 1.6 – 1.9 Green = 2.0 – 2.5 Yellow = 2.6 – 2.9 Orange = 3.0 – 3.9 Purple = 4. 0 – 4.9 Pink = 5. 0 – 5.9 White = 6.0 – 6.9

7. AR Card • Each student receives an AR card. This card is brought to the media center when students check out books. • The card provides the student’s name, teacher’s name, color, and level.

8. AR Goal • AR’s goal is to have students passing at least 80% of the questions on a test. • The test is given in a multiple choice format. • Each student has a personal login that is used every time a test is taken.

9. How can you help your child be successful when using AR? • Encourage your student to read their book at least 3 times. • Some teachers may require reading a book 5 times before a test is taken. • Have your child read the book aloud to you at least 1 of the 3 times.

10. Advancement in AR • The STAR test is given four times a year. Your child’s teacher will reevaluate their card and make adjustments at that time. • Advancement at other times is at the teacher’s discretion. Most teachers will move a student to the next level after successfully passing at least 5 AR tests.

11. A Sampling of the Different Types of Reports • TOPS – provides information on and the results of a student’s test. This can be printed immediately after each test. • Diagnostic Report – gives information on a student’s reading skills based on test results. A form of this can be sent home.

12. Diagnostic Report • The Diagnostic Report contains information that can be sent home to parents detailing how their student is growing SS – Scaled Score GE – Grade Equivalent PR – Percentile Rank PR Range – Percentile Range NCE – Normal Curve Equivalent IRL – Instructional Reading Level ZPD – provides independent reading range.

13. Reward Program • Student awards begin when a student reaches the “5 Point” club. • After the initial 5 points, students are awarded at 10 points, 20 points, and so on.

14. Let’s Take an AR Test!