“AR” - Accelerated Reader
Question & Answer
What does the AR reading level mean?
To start the school year, we base the students' book level on their STAR assessment, which is aligned with our AR book program to guide us in this process. We do this at the very beginning of the year because some students change quite a bit over the summer, and we want to remain current as to where their optimal learning levels are. Suppose a STAR assessment showed us that a student’s reading skills are at a 2.2 grade equivalent. This means on this assessment, the student demonstrated reading skills that align with a 2nd grader in the 2nd month of school. This does not mean the student’s reading rate is at a 2.2 level; that means the student’s reading rate/fluency, reading skills, comprehension, etc., are all combined to be at an overall reading skills performance level of 2.2.
Why does comprehension matter?
It can be difficult for students who can fluently read a text at a certain level but then struggle with the comprehension piece. That is why we rarely choose books for the AR program solely based on reading rate/fluency alone. The most important part of reading is enjoyment; however, our AR program is to assist our students in overall reading skills. These comprehension/reading skills include whether or not students can answer questions about what they read or infer authors' purpose, opinions, endings, characters, details, etc. The questions on the AR quizzes are about these things. The AR program helps us to gauge better how a student understands and applies what they have read rather than “IF” they can read the words.
How is my child’s AR reading level determined?
It is very disheartening for a student to take the AR quiz and struggle or fail, so we are cautious about what level students are placed to begin the school year. Again, our number one goal is to instill a love of reading! Once your child takes the STAR assessment, we learn your child’s Zone of Proximal Development or ZPD for AR. This ZPD is the range of reading levels in which your child would have the best learning opportunities in their reading journey. A range is provided, rather than a specific number, to allow some flexibility in the books your child chooses while still providing the needed boundaries of success. We start the year at the lower end of this range and go up based on your child's success on the quizzes and overall enjoyment of reading. Of course, we adjust reading levels often, as we know many other factors come into play when measuring and ensuring reading success, such as subject interest, social/emotional matters, focus, maturity, busy schedules, etc. It is also essential that your child is exposed to and learns to read and comprehend various genres at different levels. This is critical in obtaining the needed skills for the different types of reading that are required as your child moves through his/her school career. This flexibility and variety is made possible by a range in ZPD.
How can I support my child’s AR reading at home?
We are excited to be a part of your child exploring this path to new adventures in reading. We will continue to monitor your child’s AR quizzes and provide challenges to move through higher reading levels as mastery is demonstrated in your child’s independent reading skills. We encourage you to sign into your child’s AR reading "Home Connect" to get immediate notifications on your child’s quizzes and progress in AR. We look forward to working with you to support your child’s reading success!
What if my child wants to read a book not at his/her AR reading level?
AR is not the only time your child should be reading. AR is just one piece of the reading journey. We encourage your child to choose “free choice” books that are not part of our AR learning program. Free choice books can be checked out from our school library, the Mason City Public Library, classroom libraries, or home libraries. We feel it is necessary for your child to read “no pressure” books, books they are not being assessed over, simply to enhance their LOVE of READING!
If you have any other questions about our AR reading program, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher…ANYTIME!
Happy Reading!