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!