The Accelerated The Accelerated Reader ProgramReader ProgramThe Accelerated The Accelerated Reader ProgramReader Program

By Carrie Rice & Erin AtwoodBy Carrie Rice & Erin Atwood

What is Accelerated Reader?

“The Accelerated Reader System provides K-12 schools with computerized learning information systems. Its reading software is used in more than 37,500 schools, or approximately 30 percent of the schools in the United States and Canada. The company's flagship reading product, the Accelerated Reader program, is the most popular reading software in K-12 schools, with quizzes covering more than 19,000 literature books for readers of all ability levels.”

The Four Components of Accelerated Reader1. Provides interesting books to

students2. Provides a time to read3. Quizzes on the content of the

books4. Rewards for points earned on

quizzes

Disadvantages • Some teachers have stopped reading books to their students

because the computer will ask the questions instead.• Class discussion of books decreases, because the discussion

would give away the test answers.• Students don’t read books outside of the ones that are

included in the point system.• Some students try books beyond their reading level in order to

earn more points to compete with their classmates. This causes frustration.

• Some schools include the points as part of the students’ grade.• Some schools even tie the class’s point total in with the

teacher’s evaluation.

Advantages• Students read a larger amount of books at various levels as a result of

incentives.• Students push themselves to read harder books to earn more points.• Due to the students reading more, most libraries contain a larger and

newer collection of books.• The need for a librarian is recognized more by faculty and

administration.• More schools use SSR/DEAR time for reading.• Students discuss favorite authors through their expanded reading

time.• The computer test is a fairly accurate measure of whether or not the

child read the book.• Student’s reading scores improves.

ATOS Readability Formula

• The Accelerated Reader uses the ATOS readability formula

• ATOS eliminates many of the problems teacher have had with other readability formulas

• It is the 1st formula to include statistics from actual student book-reading

• The ATOS reading formula is designed to provide a reading level based on the complete content of a book

Quizzes• The Accelerated Reader offers over

85,000 quizzes• There are 6 different types of quizzes

– 1. Reading Practice Quizzes– 2. Textbook Series Quizzes– 3. Recorded Voice Quizzes– 4. Literacy Skills Quizzes– 5. Magazine Quizzes– 6. Vocabulary Practice Quizzes

Accelerated Reader Reports

• Accelerated Reader handles all record keeping

• It generates more than 30 information packet reports

• Keeps an ongoing record of what books students are reading, comprehension levels, amount of reading practice, and diagnostic information.

Example of Reading Report

Reading PracticeAccelerated Reader®: Friday, 09/19/03, 08:44 AMClass: Section 1 G1 Teacher: Mr. Pete SaylorID: 2351 Grade: 1 Team: GiraffesYou have answered 8 out of 10 questions correctly on quiz number 32169 for thebook Nate the Great and the Monster Mess by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat.Reading Practice Quiz ResultsBook Level: 2.9Number Correct / Possible: 8 / 10 (80%)Points Earned / Possible: 0.4 / 0.5TWI: Read ToF/NF: FictionMarking Period Results to Date (45% of Marking Period One)Marking Period GoalAverage Book Level: 2.6 --Average Percent Correct: 92.3% 85.0%Points Earned: 6.1 -- --Reading Practice Quizzes Passed / Taken: 13 / 13 --School Year Results to Date (7% of school year)Average Book Level: 2.6Average Percent Correct: 92.3%Points Earned: 6.1Reading Practice Quizzes Passed / Taken: 13 / 13Certification LevelLast Certification & Date Current Certification GoalReady Reader 9/17/2003 Independent ReaderMonitor Signature Teacher SignatureComments:

Scientific Research Shows Accelerated Reader

Improves Scores• A large Experimental study conducted in an urban school

district showed that students using AR and best practices achieved higher reading gain than non users.

Scientific Research Shows Accelerated Reader

Doesn’t Improve Achievement

• The Academic Journal Knowledge Quest, “Accelerated Reader: Evidence Still Lacking” suggests that through their research they have discovered that there is no direct evidence that that AR improves achievement

• A study conducted in Mississippi showed that low readers in the AR program did not increase in achievement and higher readers actually declined in achievement levels

References• http://www.renlearn.com/ar/overview/default.htm• http://www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/bibs/accl-rdr.html• http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah_chpt5_p4.html • Knowledge Quest v. 33. no. 3 p. 48