Accelerated Reader...Get the Facts

What is Accelerated Reader?

Accelerated Reader is a reading program designed to encourage and promote successful reading. It helps students to track their reading comprehension by providing them the tools to measure their improvement. AR places the focus on the careful reading of books, which in turn promotes critical thinking.

How does it work?

Children read books in their ZPD. After the parent or teacher signs off on the AR log, the child logs on to the classroom computer and takes the AR Reading Practice quiz for the book they just completed. They earn points based on their success on each quiz. The questions are designed to show how well the student understands the material. It’s one thing to read a book – it’s another thing to comprehend it in a meaningful way. The school provides incentives by way of the AR Store to encourage successful reading. It's a fun, exciting way to encourage a love of reading in children.

How is my child’s Reading Level established?

At the beginning of the school year, your child will take a Star Reading test that determines his/her appropriate reading level. This test can be given three times per year. Based on his/her performance on this diagnostic tool, he/she is assigned a zone of proximal development, or ZPD. The number roughly correlates to the expected performance in a specific grade at a certain month of school. For instance, a level of 3.4 indicates third grade, fourth month.

What does ZPD stand for?

The ZPD is a number range that correlates to levels assigned to AR books. The ZPD is designed to encourage students to read at their fluency level (the level at which they can read easily and with good comprehension).

  How can I find out how many points my child has accumulated?

Your child can check his/her reading record through the AR program at school. You can also check the Renaissance Home Connect website to see your child's AR quiz scores. Another option is to check the reading log, which should have the score and number of points earned for each quiz taken.

My kindergartener/first grader is a good reader. Why aren’t they included in the AR program yet?

Until a child is successful on the STAR Reading test, he/she will not begin Accelerated Reader. The purpose of AR is to promote successful reading experiences. You can help your child’s readiness by reading to and with him/her.