Get Schooled

By Lee

December 8, 2005 11:51 AM | Link to this

I have heard that some students are puposely doing poorly on the standardized testing in order to lower the grade level book that they have to read. Any validity to that? If so, didn’t take them long to figure that one out, did it?

By OldSchool

December 8, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this

“Proponents - they are legion - says its a program that benefits strong readers as well as weak ones. Kids who love to read can work toward goals. Kids who don’t like reading have a little more incentive to do it in their free time. Kids who can’t read well can gain fluency through practice.”

May I add that some kids who read slowly or have difficulty can get very stressed and frustrated. A fellow teacher had this issue with her young son. She enrolled him in summer programs (Sylvan Learning Center) and drove the 70 mile round trip each day to help him improve his reading and comprehension. He reads a bit better but dreads the pressure from AR and seldom reads for sheer pleasure. All this pressure and the books they are reading are not even academic subjects.

Isn’t there some sort of program like AR that breaks the material into smaller chunks and tests the student for comprehension before he/she moves on? It could be a supplement to the regular classroom text. (My own children…voracious readers…are grown and were never subjected to AR so I know little about it except what my friends have shared.)

By MMM

December 8, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this

The only expierence with AR I have had was when I witnessed the “award” given in my child’s school to the the children who got the most points. They were supposed to ride around the halls on bikes with the other children lining the walls and clapping.

There was this one chubby child who was lent a bike that was obviously too big for him for the event. He couldn’t get it going well enough to make the sharp turns and when he wound up struggling and behind all the other kids started pointing, giggling and making taunting comments about his weight. I bet that kid will never excell at AR again!

My sister-in law has also seen the competitive aspects abused in Florida as well.

By Iteach3rd

December 8, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

The major problem with AR is the quiz questions. They are simple recall questions with no hint of any higher-order thinking skills (which they MUST be exposed to for the new CRCT questions this year because of the new Lang. Arts GPS rollout). The quizzes are a waste of time and effort. Do I allow my students to take them? Yes, but I do not offer rewards for it. And you know what? My students still llike to read and are learning self-motivation.

By An AR Mom

December 8, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

Accelerated Reader was a big hit when my son was in elementary school in North Fulton. Every student participated to some level and was recognized at “town hall meetings” where certificates, ribbons, pins, etc. were awarded. The top readers were awarded a plaque at the end of the year. Points accumulated for passing tests were traded in at the AR store for little trinkets, erasers, trading cards, pencils, etc.

The students read books according to reading levels. Reading levels were determined by a test, all part of the AR program. If a child is having difficulty at a certain level, try reading a book from a lower level.

My friend and I co-chaired the program for several years. We provided volunteer helpers in the classrooms. I, myself, volunteered in a special ed. class. It was a very rewarding experience.

In no way was competition promoted by anyone involved in the AR program. If competition is a problem, look to the parents. There was one child who was watching a TV program based on a series of books, and taking the tests after watching the shows, not reading the books…a fact that was known by his parent. In the end, it would be the child who lost out.

Recognition for achievement is a good thing…a material award is not needed. I think it’s over-involved parents who pollute a good program. I don’t recall the AR program promoting anything but individual improvement in reading with very small prizes as incentives, such as found in the AR store. Everything is spelled out in the program. Research Accelerated Reader to be sure it is being used properly.

By Jake

December 8, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this

“Also seen the competitive aspects abused” isn’t the way I would describe the fat kid on the bike incident. The award choice may have been ill-conceived, but that shouldn’t negate the positives of the program. Encouraging kids to read is a good thing, and positive reinforcement through rewards for performance sounds a lot like life to me. My daughter participated all the way through eighth grade and finished in the top five all but the last year when she chose to read other books not on the reading list. But the only rewards I remember her getting were certificates of recognition and a $10 gift certificate.

By SET

December 8, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

Reading is closely linked to IQ subject to disabilities such as dislexia.

The schools should be testing for IQ and sorting the students so the 85s aren’t having to keep up with the 110s.

Low IQ students get frustrated when mismatched with high IQ students in the same classes. Occasionally they get so frustrated they throw chairs.

High IQ students get bored in a low IQ dominated class. So they act out also. They don’t throw chairs usually but they will act out if not challenged.

No amount of AR or special curriculum can overcome this basic fact of education. We should not mix incompatible IQs in academic classrooms.

I was allowed to read as many books as I wanted as fast as I wanted. I was at 12th grade reading level in grade school. The Nuns had a library room at the school and they kept all 30 students to a Nun working so that each child was busy and not sleeping, talking, eating, or whatever I have seen in “modern” schools. Of course we all had to keep quiet and raise our hands if we needed anything. And we were called on publically to answer questions about the current assignment out loud.

The 3rd grade Nun was known to walk down the isle and kick you (not hard) if she thought the answer given wasn’t good enough. She also backhanded a boy out of his desk onto the floor when she saw him poke somebody else with a sharpened pencil (Served him right, he should have looked first). With 30 students of all colors and both sexes to one teacher (who I now realize was 5’6” and 100lbs) Sister got us all reading and writing well during 3rd grade - with individual attention and eyes in the back of her head. She made us stand to speak and taught us handwriting as well as vocabulary.

She never called in sick or expressed unhappiness. She was PO’ed a lot but it came and went quickly - the JFK thing was a major blow to her plans of world domination by Catholics.

I remember that as distraught as they were over the JFK killing they only told us he was “very ill” and sent us home. The Nuns didn’t want to upset us??? Amazing. They upset us from minute to minute during lessons but wanted to protect us from that news and let the parents explain it all.

We may never see this kind of education on a large scale in the US urban areas again in our lifetime.

So I’m not impressed by the AR program. The schools need discipline and order above all else. Then they need to remove the students who shouldn’t be in a normal school.

By high school teacher

December 8, 2005 01:01 PM | Link to this

I have actually had a student tell me that AR made him hate reading. There are students who love it and those who hate it, as with anything else, but I don’t like the requirement that some systems make of it. The point is to boost interest in reading, not to make kids loathe it.
I have friends whose children participate in the AR programs, and they don’t like the stress level it causes in their elementary aged children. Apparently, the points issue can cause some anxiety! I also question the validity of the grade level designations. I commented in a previous blog about this issue; John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is considered a 4th grade book because of the vocabulary. While the vocab might be elementary, the content is not!

By RDR

December 8, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this

AR: I love the program. It allows the kids to choose a book of their interest based on their reading ability. The quizes are simple but if they haven’t read the book, they usually are not able to answer the quiz questions correctly.

I put my students on teams of four to five students with varied reading abilities. I put each team in competition with other teams. The team goal is to reach the most points possible though reading AR books.

AR books are awarded a point value based on the level and length of each book. The more challenging books have a higher point value. This was a great way to foster a competitive reading environment. I give my kids a reading range based on their diagnosed reading level (determined by the Star test).

They don’t always need to read books that challenge them. There are times when they should be allowed to read books for pleasure. Don’t we all enjoy a “guilty pleasure” book that doesn’t put too much pressure on the brain? I certainly do.

I am a huge advocate of the AR program. The benefits far outweigh the cons. Prior to AR, the only way kids read in school was when the entire class read the same book at the same pace. This was so unfair to every kid who read faster or slower than the norm, kids who do not like the subject or genre, etc. AR allows kids to choose a book based on their personal interest and ability.

For those who state that the quizes are too easy, ask the kids to provide further proof that they read and comprehended the book (reports, essays, comprehesion questions, journal entries, etc.) I love AR but for those of you who are opposed, there are so many advocates that the program is not going anywhere anytime soon.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

December 8, 2005 01:16 PM | Link to this

I absolutely love it and so does my daughter. I like the fact, that it encourages the kids to read at their grade level and above. It could be enhanced to include spelling and vocabulary building as part of the test.

My daughters school allows the children to set their own goal for AR points, within reason. Each 9 weeks, they are expected to increase their goals. The children are not forced to participate and do not receive a grade on their report cards, so what is the big problem?

By DSMOOTH

December 8, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

My son is a 4th grader who has joined the Library Club because of AR. He absolutely loves it and to date has read 75 books this school year. He’s a voracious reader and I love him for reading just for fun. His school gives an ice cream party at certain levels of reading 25, 50, 75…. I’m only 31 but I remember when I was in the 4th grade we had a program called SQ3R (survey, question, read, recite and review) you read short stories and followed the SQ3R and you racked up points. This was in the early 80’s so these types of programs have been going on for years. I think they are beneficial to children.

By Decaturparent

December 8, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this

We have AR in our school system. Children set a points goal for the quarter with the guidance of their teacher. If they meet or exceed the goal they receive a certificate and on occasion, they get an ice cream party or something like that.

AR does help us keep track of exactly where our children’s reading levels are and helps them identify and read books that are at just the right level for them. It is also an incentive for a reluctant reader.

Some disadvantages are that there are lots of books that are wonderful and are not on any AR lists. If you child reads those - they get no credit. Also, my kids do tend to read just to meet their goal, and then when they reach it, they slack off. Also, forget getting them to read in the summer - they don’t want to bother because there’s no AR goal.

All in all, AR is not a huge issue to me. The pluses seem to basically balance out the negative. I think that there could be more innovative ways to encourage reading though.

By Iteach3rd

December 8, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this

Amazed, I like the way your child’s school implements the AR program. Goal setting is very important for children to participate in.

My problem is, the “grade level” assigned to children based on the test result is misleading, especially if the questions are simple recall and not higher-order. Many third grade children can answer simple recall questions on a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade level. But that does not mean they are truly functioning on a 4th, 5th, or 6th grade reading level! They must develop other skills like inferencing, decoding long words, using context clues for vocabulary, etc. that the AR system does not test.

If it helps children be motivated to read, then great! But don’t use it as a gauge to determine what level your child is able to function in.

By An AR Mom

December 8, 2005 01:49 PM | Link to this

The purpose of AR is to promote reading, and improve skills for those who struggle with reading. If competition is an issue, the program is being misused, or is misunderstood.

Why would AR be causing stress? AR books are assigned reading levels by the company, not a library or your child’s school. The reading level may or may not correspond to grade level reading to which teachers and parents are familiar. That is why the students should take the comprehension test in the program packet provided. Tests and points are allocated according to the level of difficulty, all determined by AR.

The goal is to make stronger readers, not faster readers. AR is not going make sweeping changes in education, but it will hopefully introduce the world of books to a new reader, make a weak reader a stronger one, and encourage more reading from strong reader.

AR is not going to teach a child to read. AR is a tool. Comprehension and inference are still going to have to be taught by teachers. Reading opens the imagination, and once the door to imagination is open, the possibilites are endless.

By Iteach3rd

December 8, 2005 01:54 PM | Link to this

AR Mom, well said! I can’t tell you how many parents there are that think their children should be in the gifted program because their AR level is higher than their grade level! It is only a system for organizing the books…

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

December 8, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this

Iteach3rd,

You are correct, it should not be used to determine what grade level a child is able to function. I didn’t realize that a school system would use the AR system for that purpose. That is not a smart way to use the system. I think of it as an encouragement to read program and only to be used as that.

I do believe the program could be enhanced to include decoding long words and using contect clues, someone needs to mention this to the AR program administrator. I would also include a definition, multiple choice type of function.

I am always questioning my daughter about the words she has read in a book. I always have her look up words she can’t pronounce or if she does not know the meaning of the word.

By Iteach3rd

December 8, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

Amazed,

It’s not the school system who misuses the AR levels; it’s some of the parents (not all, and I know that!) who don’t know enough about the program and the rating scale.

I hope AR could be improved soon!

By DKB

December 8, 2005 02:19 PM | Link to this

As far as I know, there are no prizes awared at my children’s school for AR. For my older son, who is now in 4th grade, AR was required and monthly quotas were set when he was in 1st and 2nd grades. That was extremely stressful to him and me. I hated being on his back all the time to make sure he made his quota.

His teacher in 3rd grade didn’t push it at all, but his 4th grade teacher has found a happy medium. She gives reading assignments for the reporting period, but they’re not unrealistic—2 books over 100 pages and 7 small books or age/reading level appropriate magazine/newspaper articles. She uses AR, but she also allows mini-book reports (listing the name of the book, author, illustrator and 10 facts from the book they read) and bookadventure.com quizzes to prove they read and understood a book.

This method encourages the children to read more, but also gives them more options and variety. The AR system tends to be down a lot. Bookadventure.com offers a wider selection of books, but the quiz format is similar to AR. Also, he can take the bookadventure tests at home, then print the results to turn in at school.

By DKB

December 8, 2005 02:21 PM | Link to this

Man, I hate it when I make typos. That’s awarded, not awared. Sorry!

By high school teacher

December 8, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this

AR Mom,

The stress comes from trying to attain as many points as possible. I once worked in a system that ties AR points to a child’s grade. I disagree with that particular use of the program.

By Matt

December 8, 2005 02:33 PM | Link to this

God forbid we hurt someone’s feelings. We shouldn’t encourage competition? Yada Yada Yada. AR is what you make of it. If a kid likes to read and this system monitors his reading level so that he can progress as he reads more books, then by all means it works. Will it work for every child, no. No system or program will. Teachers and parents have to identify those who don’t like those pressures or have problems reading. But to bash the program, that’s ridiculous. It’s just like anything else in life, it’s a resource. Not the only resource, just one of many. My kid reads his AR books every night. I could care less why he reads. I’m just excited that he likes to read. I agree with the person who said higher order questions need to be asked, but the program itself is good.

I also teach, and I see kids who are burned out on AR. It’s shouldn’t be shoved down their throats, even ice cream gets old when you eat it everyday. Like anything else, moderation, moderation, moderation.

By Laura

December 8, 2005 03:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t miss AR at all since I moved my son to private school. There were quotas in 1st and 2nd grade, but my dyslexic son couldn’t read any of the books since the school hadn’t bothered to teach him how to read.

He’s in 5th grade now reading at grade level (in fluency, comprehension is at 7th grade level), thanks to the reading method at his private school. And, no, they don’t have AR or anything equivalent.

By Jake

December 8, 2005 03:11 PM | Link to this

Oh the performance anxiety, the pain, the stress of trying to keep my point total up with that darn fat kid on the bike! Please shelter me from all competition, pressure and stress so I may grow up anxiety free and beaming with unrealistic and undeserved self-esteem as I pursue my career at McD’s.

By AR Mom

December 8, 2005 03:14 PM | Link to this

High school teacher,

The AR program was obviously misused if the points were tied to a student’s grade. That is not the purpose of AR. In a situation like that, the fault lies with the administration, teacher or whoever it was who implemented the program for that purpose. Read the literature provided in the introduction packet at your school. I encourage all parents to do so, especially those who are extremely dissatisfied. Be sure AR is being used properly.

By Lynn

December 8, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this

My 4th grader is at a new middle school that has not finished setting up their Reading Counts program (their name for AR). Last yr, in 3rd grade, he had one of the highest point levels in the school. He reads (and comprehends) on a 6th-7th grade level. The rewards included your name posted on a wall outside of the library. If you met your quota for a semester, you got a certificate for a free pizza from Pizza Hut. Stickers and pencils were also given out. There was some nasty competition (fostered by parents), but for the most part, it was a simple tool used to encourage reading.

This summer, my son read all 6 of the Harry Potter books, the entire Chronicles of Narnia series, and the Artemis Fowl series. I know he read them, because I read each book first, and we discussed them after. He was so disappointed that the program at the new school was not in place. They say it may be ready after January. I think AR is a fantastic tool. It should not be tied to grades, or used by parents to show off their child’s brilliance. It also shouldn’t be put down because some kids can’t handle the pressure. In that case, the parents need to take more responsibility (as they should in all areas of their child’s education!!).

By Taxpayer

December 8, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this

Accelerated Reader is not for every kid. It wasn’t for my kid, even though her elementary school principal wanted to brag that he had 100% participation in AR at his school. Games, prizes, computer quizzes, quotas, and unrealistic reading goals don’t help kids who simply don’t like to read in the first place. Many of the kids we knew who got AR awards were like the ones who got the perfect attendance awards: the award should have gone to the parents who pushed, threatened, and cajoled. The AR kids read a gazillion books as quickly as possible. So? What do they retain from all this speedy reading? I say make AR optional. Above all, let kids choose their own reading material (from an approved list, if necessary).

By Lynn

December 8, 2005 04:16 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer - oh, yes…let’s let kids choose what they want to do in school! Math? Naah…too much work. Reading….what for, I’ll just wait for the movie.

Isn’t it a parent’s JOB to push, threaten and cajole?? Shouldn’t you WANT to encourage your child to love reading? Why does it sound as if you think it’s ok to not be a reader?

AR encourages kids to read - on their level, at an appropriate pace, with some minimum requirements. If one kid meets their basic goal, great. If another kid far exceeds their goal, great. Either way, reading skills are promoted. How could that, in any way, be a negative thing?

By Taxpayer

December 8, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this

Lynn, you extrapolate far too much from my post. As earlier posts have shown, AR is NOT for every kid; that’s why I advocate making it an optional program. In other words, if YOU want YOUR kid to participate, then YOU can make the choice. My child did not need AR to get her to read — many kids don’t and are frustrated by the lack of choices on the AR list or turned off by the “game” aspect of it. We have always provided ample reading materials at home. I am all for reading; I am not for forced reading, which makes many kids hate to read. As for threatening, cajoling, and pushing, we choose instead to explain clearly to our child what is expected of her and what consequences/benefits will result from her compliance. We have raised a respectful child who has maintained a 4.0 average into high school, has lovely manners, and is a pleasure to be around. Oh — and she reads, too!

By Kat

December 8, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

As a public librarian, I can tell you a few of the the drawbacks of AR: Parents who come to the library and say that their child needs a 1.7 level book, or 2.3, or whatever. If their child is interested in a book that isn’t at that exact level, the parent won’t let them read it. No matter that the child has found a book he’s excited about. No matter that he’s found something he wants to read. No matter that it builds reading skills to read something a little above his level, or that it builds confidence to read something a little below grade level. If it doesn’t fit the exact grade level the child has tested at, the parents dismiss it. Another heartbreaker: when a child is looking for something to read and I make a suggestion of something that fits his interests perfectly, but since it’s not an AR book, the child loses interest because, “that book’s not worth anything.” Meaning, if the book isn’t worth any AR points, there’s no reason to read it. There is no evidence to show that AR increases reading skills or comprehension. Used judiciously, it can help with motivation, but I see it misunderstood and abused by far too many parents and teachers. Keep in mind: this is a commercial product, and the vendors are simply selling the latest gimmick. This is one fad I will be glad to see fade away.

By Lynn

December 8, 2005 04:52 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer - congrats on a job well done! I apologize, my post sounded more critical of you than I meant it to.

But do you think that you represent the majority of parents, or the minority? If AR were optional, how many kids would participate? How many parents would encourage kids to participate? Unfortunately, AR seems like one of the few ways to maybe level the playing field. I know my son loves to read, and is an excellent reader. He is in a gifted level class, with an A & B average ( all while dealing with severe level ADHD). Several kids in his class test at gifted level, but do not perform at that level. Those kids have little to no parental involvement. They don’t read unless forced. How else can the schools teach them? Everything in life requires reading! Even the simplest job involves some sort of written directions. If using a reward system, and requiring participation is the only way to get less motivated students to perform, then I say Go For It.

By HB

December 8, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this

Lynn, I think Taxpayer’s point was that pushing, threatening, and cajoling can encourage a child to hate reading. It’s important to strike a balance. Competition/rewards aren’t necessarily bad, but sometimes the pressure can take the fun out of things.

An example of how grown-ups can ruin what should be a good program: Back in the 80s, my elementary school used the Book It program, where if we read and wrote a report on 4 books in a month, we got a Pizza Hut certificate as a reward. I enjoyed that for a couple of months but soon found that writing a report on everything I read kind of took the fun out of my “freetime” reading. The pizza just wasn’t worth it to me, so I kept reading but quit the program. Most kids did the same. The problem was any class with 100% participation every month also got a pizza party reward at the end of the year. The parents of the only 2 kids who wrote all 36 reports were furious that their children missed out on a class party because of the rest of us slackers (I guess 9 personal pizzas weren’t enough for them). It was deemed “unfair” to those kids, so every year after, participation in the program was mandatory and was tied to our grades; our carrot became a stick.

It sounds like similar things are happening with the AR program in some places. Teachers and parents have to be careful to administer the program in a way that does enocourages, rather than discourages, reading. If they can’t maintain a good balance, the program shouldn’t be used at all.

By Taxpayer

December 8, 2005 05:00 PM | Link to this

Lynn, no offense taken! I am so glad that AR has been so great for your son, and I appreciate why you are such a passionate advocate for AR. Perhaps whether the AR program at a given school is optional or required must depend on the student population. In my reservations about AR, I probably represent the minority of parents and educators who see reading — ANY reading — as a plus. Still, as an English professor for 22 years, I see the fallout from forced reading among my college students. At some point, reading has to and will become a personal choice. How kids start out determines so much of how and where they end up.

By Jake

December 8, 2005 05:09 PM | Link to this

Well the AR program isn’t to blame for the parent’s deficiencies, pushing, cajoling, furious over missing a pizza party, etc. And no class or program will be suited to all students. But when you make it optional, isn’t it the children that probably need it most, the ones that have slacker parents insted of the pushy cajolers, that are most likely to opt out? The program does become just about worthless if the optional participants are only the kids that are already self-motivated to read. Promoting discipline, establishing requirements, and raising the bar for a change instead of constantly lowering it, sound like good ideas to me.

By jim dumond

December 9, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

Well, after reading about everything wrong with AR, let’s explore the other side.

My child has read for pleasure since he was about 4. While using the AR program in Gwinnett he was allowed to choose which books he cared to read. He also was allowed the choice of which books he wanted to test on, generally only choosing to test on books that were more challenging. By the end of 4th grade he was reading at an 11th grade level. He still enjoys a good book in high school, between all the extracurricular activities

Personally, I feel this is a great tool for keeping up with a child’s progress, allowing teachers to customize classroom instruction to fill the needs of their students.

I honestly believe that while some students may feel pressured, that the pressure is actually coming from parents and teachers that don’t understand how the program should work. Parents that think their little darlings are the next Einstein and suddenly realize that’s not the case. Should I venture a guess, I’d say most of these parents haven’t opened a book just to read for pleasure in their child’s presence, nor have they encouraged their children by simply asking what they are reading, where they are in the book, and what’s happened to that point. All of these questions help reinforce good reading and comprehensive skills.

All the folks that think AR sucks need to take a hard look at what they are teaching their children, and instead of packing them off to the mall on weekends and evenings with a $20 bill take them to a book store and let them explore. If you want your child to read, YOU must encourage them in a positive manner rather than raising cane because they didn’t do well on an AR test.

How many books have you bought your child in the past year?

By Becky

December 9, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

Amen, Jim. If parents don’t model and encourage reading, then their children won’t see it as something enjoyable. I have no children (I am a reading teacher) but the majority of gifts I buy for my nieces and nephews are books. I ask them to give me a list so that I make sure I get what they would enjoy reading. Of course I don’t ask the 18 month old; he just likes for someone to read to him.

By jim dumond

December 9, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this

Becky, as I recall 18 month olds enjoy chewing books up and spitting them out. :)

By Taxpayer

December 9, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

Jim Dumond, as usual, makes many good points. I don’t want to be an AR basher when it so obviously works well for some kids, but our family program of encouraging reading has worked very well and incorporates Jim’s main idea: teach by example. Before my child was born, I began collecting books for her. We read to her very early on and kept reading with her until she decided she wanted to read on her on. My husband and I have always had books around the house, and over the years, our child has seen us reading daily. When she reads a book, we talk with her about it. Even if she says a book “sucks,” we ask her to tell us why. She often asks us about books we are reading, and I’ve had the great pleasure of sharing my own books with her and discussing them together. We make regular trips to the library and the bookstore. Before any long car trip or school holidays, we always check with her to make sure she has a few books to read. We let her choose what she wants to read, within reason, and here are some of her most recent choice: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bell Jar, Girl Interrupted, and Speak. You can raise a reader. I know not only because I have raised one, but also because I was given all these same opportunities when I was a kid.

By BorntoRoundabout

December 9, 2005 11:18 AM | Link to this

As a child, I hated to read. Honestly, I still do. But today, I read vigorously - news, trade publications, magazines. A creative child who hated to read grew into a writer and professional communicator.

As a parent, I have fought to support my children as well-meaning educators worked to push and shove them into their molds. I’ve seen my boys shamed and belittled; and, we, too, have shared tears over the dreaded AR point quota.

As a professional, I applaud efforts to teach and encourage every child to read. But I also stand and cheer for those educators who recognize that each child is a person. Skills, interests, abilities vary. Some will love to read. Some will not.

Please consider that while repetition and competition can build skills and strength, neither is likely to change natural preferences, abilities or desires. Of course a child can be encouraged to explore and build reading skills, but it seems an artfully-sold marketing myth to believe that a program such as AR can move any child toward a “love of reading.” For those simply forced to reach quotas, the opposite result may be closer to reality.

Please have a quiet discussion with your child’s teachers to let them know your feelings, talk with them about your child’s strengths and weaknesses and explore ways that programmatic efforts might be adapted when needed. And, thank them for their hard work and for caring for your child.

By Mike

December 9, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this

AR Reading is a tool!!! The program is not a panacea or replacement for a reading curriculum, rather it is a program to use in concert with other reading programs. When used properly AR is a sound choice for additional reinforcement.

Also… AR Math is also a GREAT program to use. Once again though, it must be used properly…. AR Math & Reading will not teach Math & Reading for the teacher! Mike

By Karen

December 9, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

My daughter is a very advanced reader. In elementary school the selection was too limited in her reading level. It forced her to read books for which there were tests even though she wasn’t interested in them - just to get the grade.

Now in middle school, she still has the problem that the books she wants to read don’t have tests. She reads constantly but could barely meet her AR goal because so many books she enjoyed don’t have AR tests (Eldest, Harry Potter #6). It is ridiculous, really. She is frustrated.

By Becky

December 9, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this

I get those thick books that are made just for little ones. I haven’t seen this great-grand nephew chewing on his books but others did. LOL

By Becky

December 9, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this

BTW - I call him great-grand because I helped to raise my niece, his mother.

By Sarah

December 9, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

As with all teaching tools/programs, there is good and bad to say about AR. I suspect, based on my experience with my three children (one above average, one average, one gifted), that the program is great for about 80-90% of the kids. As always, we should evaluate how all the students are doing and find another way to reach/teach those who don’t/can’t learn the way the majority does. It’s works great for most.

The only issue I can remember over 16 years of elementary/middle school AR programs was with my youngest daughter. She was a born reader - 99% + on every elementary and middle school eand of grade reading test. In fourth grade she could read and comprehend many books on an upper high school level, but the subject matter was usually not appropriate for her age (her AR level at Christmas of 4th grade was 11th grade, 6th month). There was no good solution for the problem - by 8th grade she found herself having to read double the number of books her peers did just to get the minimum required points, since points received for books below your AR level are so much lower.

Wonder how issues like that are handled in other schools? (academic for our family since she’s now in the 10th grade, though).

By SWC

December 12, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this

As a public librarian, I can tell you a few of the the drawbacks of AR: Parents who come to the library and say that their child needs a 1.7 level book, or 2.3, or whatever. If their child is interested in a book that isn’t at that exact level, the parent won’t let them read it. No matter that the child has found a book he’s excited about. No matter that he’s found something he wants to read.

In our county the problem is with the school rule, not the parents. I hate AR because it is too rigid. The kids have to read books at their tested level. Whenever I suggest a book that I loved as a child I invariably am told by my son that it is either above or below his tested level. The AR tests count towards their grade. IMHO I think it is often used as a substitute for a reading curriculum. Until this year (6th grade) the whole class never read a book together and discussed it as a class. Instead kids were broken up into groups and discussed the books among themselves, sometimes did book reports, et cetera. I think it is used because its convenient - tell the kid to read and send them to a computer to take a test, which seems to be largely filled with trivial facts. At least this year they are given being given a choice - they can take the test or prepare a book report. My kid chooses the book report…

Authors of classic fiction do not write books to fit into a little box of reading levels. Many books are appropriate for a wide range of ages and abilities, but because of this AR system, kids are missing opportunities to read wonderful books. My kid needs to be forced to read fiction, and won’t read fiction unless it is assigned to him. Up until this year when he got the book report option, reading was more of an anxiety-causing event as he was worried that he would miss some trivial fact that would appear on the test. He focused less on what matters: plot, theme, characters, setting, et cetera and missed out on a lot of the pure pleasure of reading.

The program would work much better if they loosened up the rules.

By pel

December 13, 2005 11:18 AM | Link to this

My son is in 8th grade. He does not like to read books. He prefers to read magazines. He hated AR in elementary school. He also found out that you could watch the Harry Potter movie then take th AR test without reading the book — scored 100% on the AR test. AR did not encourage him to read more.

Yet, he has always read 3 or 4 grade levels higher than the grade he is in. Why? He has been read to since the day he came home from the hospital. He has always had books around him. As a 5 yr old he would go to sleep with a book or magazine in his hands at night. I continued to read to him after he learned to read. I would read while he played quietly with matchbox cars. As recent as a year ago, I read a book to him (The Princess Bride), then we watched the video. We often read magazines together. I wish he would read books but he seems to be scared of the committment.

Read www.trelease-on-reading.com to find out more about AR and about how to really encourage kids to read.