A student reads a book, takes an online quiz, and gets immediate feedback. Students respond to regular feedback and are motivated to make progress with their reading skills. Together with Star Reading and myON by Renaissance, it forms a complete reading practice and assessment solution for students of all ages and abilities.
All pupils in Years 7 and 8 are involved in a program called Accelerated Reader. This program has not only been specifically designed to improve pupils’ reading ability and continue to raise their reading age, but also to encourage and nurture a love of reading that will continue into adulthood. Reading is a national priority for a number of reasons: being able to demonstrate competent reading skills is essential for subjects across the entire curriculum. Scientific research shows clearly that a pupil who reads regularly for 20 minutes per day is far more likely to be successful at GCSE level and beyond.
STAR Reading Tests
At the start of the academic year, pupils complete their first STAR reading test. The assessment is a computerized test which uses multiple-choice questions that adjust depending on the responses. At the end of the test, a reading age and ZPD is generated.
If the STAR reading test result suggests that the pupil has rushed the test or the results have fallen significantly below previous data, the teacher will discuss the results with the pupil and a repeat test scheduled if necessary.
There are three scheduled STAR reading test dates over the academic year. This enables teachers to monitor progress and also ensure ZPDs are inline with pupil progress. However, classes can complete STAR tests more frequently if the teacher feels this is necessary. Children will write their new reading age and ZPD in their planners and on the AR log books.
ZPD
The Accelerated Reader Program works by identifying a pupil’s ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) which is essentially a selection of books that will not only match their ability, but will also challenge them and develop their vocabulary. The ZPD is generated once pupils have completed their first STAR reading test. Pupils begin by selecting a book from the beginning of their ZPD. As this book is from the beginning of the pupil’s ZPD, pupils should achieve 80% or higher when quizzing therefore boosting confidence and allowing them to move up their ZPD. When they have finished reading the book, students take a short electronic quiz that assesses their understanding of what they have read. This enables us as teachers to have meaningful discussions about a pupil’s reading: what they have learnt and how we can help them to develop. Pupils then move up and down their ZPD according to their quiz results. The movement up down the ZPD is always done in consultation with the student and dependent on how ‘comfortable’ they feel. Pupils are given the opportunity to read another book at the same level before a decision is made to move down a level.
AR Quizzes
After reading a book, pupils complete a computerised quiz that assesses their understanding of the book’s characters, events, and literary features.
The score, generated by the computer, gives the pupil immediate feedback. A score of 80% or higher means the pupils have read and understood the book and they can move to a book higher in their ZPD range. Any movement up or down the ZPD is discussed with the student and the information is recorded in their AR log book.
Reading Homework
Your son/daughter will have an AR reading book from school. He/she needs to be reading this book each day as part of their English homework. Once they have finished, they can take a quiz during break or lunch or stay for Homework Club Monday-Thursday. Pupils have been given a clear, plastic wallet to keep their book in.
Support
If you require any additional support or advice with any aspects of reading development, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Lathall. Email address: Lathall.l@allsaints.notts.sch.uk or your child’s English Teacher.
