ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM

Evaluate The Pro's And Con's Of Accelerated Reader Program

Evaluate The Pro's And Con's Of Accelerated Reader Program

Introduction

A product of Renaissance Learning, Inc. (formerly Advantage Learning Systems), the computer driven Accelerated Reader program is now part of an overall classroom management system with a complete support system of teacher training and certification. Accelerated Reader consists of 4 components:

1 hour of reading time/day

Provide interesting books

Reward for points earned on the quizzes

Literal level quizzes on the content of the books through computer

The impact of Accelerated Reader on student reading achievement has been debated in educational circles for some time. The effectiveness of this tool to motivate students and build reading comprehension depends on its usage and training provided to teachers using it (Holmes, 2003).

Student Acceleration

In its training seminars, Renaissance Learning stresses that Accelerated Reader is to be used as a teaching tool for guided reading practice. It is never to be used punitively. Renaissance Learning recommends grades not be given for reading practice and suggests that any Accelerated Reader Quiz grades 85 percent or above should be recorded as 100 percent, and all grades below 85 percent should be prorated accordingly. All teachers involved should agree on the grading formula. Grades are to be used only to raise a student's average or as bonus points. Accelerated Reader Quizzes should never lower a grade. Each student starts out by taking the STAR test, a companion program to AR, to determine his or her instructional reading level (Howard, 1999). The student is then guided to choose books on this level as a starting point for success. Each time a student passes a quiz with 85 percent or higher score, the student's book level is raised or the length of the book is increased within his or her Zone of ...