What is Accelerated Reader (AR)?
The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is a computerized reading enrichment program that combines great children’s literature with computer skills. As an individualized reading program, it is designed to motivate students to read more. It is not a competitive program but one that enhances student’s reading ability and enriches reading experiences and comprehension.
How does AR work?
Students select a book in their reading range, read it at their own pace, and then take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a percentage of these points based on how many of the test questions they answer correctly. The program tracks their progress over the course of the school year.
How does a student get started?
At the beginning of the school year, students are given a vocabulary test called STAR, which can be used to identify a student’s reading level. It measures the level of difficulty of words that students can independently comprehend. The teacher uses this information to determine a reading range for each student.
Does my child have to read within this reading range?
The reading range is called the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The designers of the AR program have determined that the best reading practice should be done within the ZPD. If students read material that is too easy, then there will be no gain in reading skills. If they read material that is too difficult, they will become frustrated and achieve no improvement in reading skills. Therefore, we require that reading be within students’ ZPD range.
How does my child select a book within his ZPD Range ?
Each AR book in our library has a label inside with the reading level written on it. The point value of the book is located on the inside of its back cover. Each book has a point value based on readability and total number of words in the book.
Does my child have to read AR books only?
Our goal is to motivate students to read more and to enrich their reading experiences. We recognize that libraries are filled with good literature and not every good book is an AR book. Therefore, we encourage students to read both AR and non-AR books. The computer keeps track of A.R. reading points, books, and average test scores, as well as other diagnostic data. With this information, we can help students balance their reading selections with both AR and non-AR books.
How much time should my child spend reading?
It is recommended that students read independently, with a buddy, or have someone read to them. Below is a chart of recommended average minutes that should be spent on reading each day.
| Grade Level | Read To | Read With | Read Independently |
| 1 – 1st half of year | 30 | 10 | 10 |
| 1 – 2nd half of year | 15 | 15 | 30 |
| 2 – 1st half of year | 15 | 10 | 35 |
| 2 – 2nd half of year | 15 | 10 | 40 |
| 3 and up | 5 to 15 | 5 to 15 | 60 |
What constitutes a good AR score?
The goal is to score at 85% or above. Scoring lower may indicate that the material is too difficult, and the student should select a book at the lower end of his/her reading level. A student who scores at 95% or above should select a book at the upper end of his/her reading range. If students are already reading at the top of their reading range and consistently scoring above 95%, then their reading range should be adjusted.
When does my child take a test?
Ideally an AR test should be taken within 24 hours of the time the student finishes reading the book. The questions are designed to verify that the student has read the book so they are directed more to details of the story element. Teachers usually have a designated AR time in their class schedule that allows students to take AR tests in the classroom.
How can I support and encourage my child to read at home?
Read Together. Children feel special when they are reading next to their parents/grandparents. As children learn to read, take turns turning pages. Once a habit of reading together is established, parents can sit nearby as older children read their own books.
Read to your child. Children enjoy hearing stories and talking about them long after they can read for themselves.
Find good books to read. Encourage your child to read within his/her reading range. You can check books out of our public library as long as the AR test is available at our school.
Make a time and place for reading. The American child watches an average of three hours of TV a day. It shouldn’t be too hard to find some time every day to read. Many parents find that bedtime is ideal.
Set an example. Children copy what they see. When a parent turns off the TV and reads a newspaper, a magazine, or a book, the child learns that reading is important.
Help children become active readers. As you read together, share ideas and ask questions: What do you think will happen next? As children get older, ask questions about what they read on their own. When they tell you the story, they learn to organize and remember the information.
How will the Accelerated Reader help my child with reading?
The Accelerated Reader Program enables a child to gradually increase both the difficulty and comprehension of material read. This will not only help increase reading scores, but more importantly, enjoyment of reading.
What is Renaissance Place?
Renaissance Place is the new version of the Accelerated Reader program. The program has a special feature called Home Connect. Home Connect is a fun, easy-to-understand web-based interface that allows the students, parents and teachers to share in the educational experience by viewing progress in certain Renaissance Place programs while outside of the school. You can view Home Connect from any computer with an Internet connection using these browsers:
*Internet Explorer 6.02 or later
*Firefox 1.5 or later
*Safari 2.0.3 or laterEach child received a User Name & Password. If you misplace your user name or password, please contact your teacher.To log into Home Connect:
*Web site: https://hosted73.renlearn.com/277990/Homeconnect/Login.aspxIn Home Connect you can also:
*Click Email Setup to sign up to receive emails showing your student’s quiz or test results.
*Click Help to get answers to your questions about Home Connect.