Rayne Catholic Elementary » Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader

ACCELERATED READER

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a daily progress monitoring software assessment in wide use by primary and secondary schools for monitoring the practice of reading, and it is created by Renaissance Learning, Inc. There are three steps to using Accelerated Reader. First, students choose and read a fiction or non-fiction book or textbook. Teachers monitor reading including guided, paired, literature-based, and textbook reading. Second, students take a quiz. Teachers can create their own quizzes for those not available in Accelerated Reader. Third, the teacher receives information that is intended to assist, motivate reading, monitor progress, and target instruction. Reports regarding reading level and comprehension skills are available through the software.

Rayne Catholic utilizes the accelerated reading program beginning with an introduction during the second quarter of the school year during first grade through grade eight. Student’s Reading teacher, in cooperation with each student, should develop an individual reading goal based on each student’s achievement and test scores. Student’s test scores will be reflected in their Reading grade each nine week period.

Procedure for Lower Grades:

Student’s Reading Levels are determined by using his/her latest DIBELS Test Score and Lexile Score from the previous SAT Test to find the level at which the student can be most successfully challenged. Teacher and administrative input may also be used to set each student’s goal. Once the level is determined, the student is given a book range of levels – example: the student’s level is 2.0 reading level, the student is required to read between this range: 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 books. Each student will be given a “book mark” with appropriate levels and directions.

Students must read a minimum of three books per level before moving up a book level with the teacher’s permission. Students must have at least an 80% average on all tests for the 1^st quarter (82%-2^nd, 84%-3^rd, 86%-4^th). If student is scoring less than required percentile on tests, teacher may require student to read more books on this level.

Once at a grade level above, students must read every book at that level before moving up a book level. Students should not go a grade and a half above their current grade level; example: a 2^nd graders should not read above a 3.5 book. (for content purposes) It is the desire of the RCE program that students should read all grade level books before moving up a level. Children will only be in 2^nd grade once and may never again be able to read 2^nd grade literature, therefore it is the intent for every student to experience all the literature on their grade level while applicable.

Once a student has successfully completed each level (example: 2.0 book) the student will not be allowed to go back to successfully completed level. Reading Levels will be reviewed and subject to change after each DIBELS test with teacher and administrative recommendation.

Suggested Minimal 9 Week’s Goals by Grade Level:

1^st Quarter 2^nd Quarter 3^rd Quarter 4^th Quarter Percentage of Reading Grade

1^st Grade —— 2 points 4 points 5 points = averaged into grade

—— 80% test avg. 82% test avg. 84% test avg. = averaged into grade

2^nd Grade 5 points 6 points 7 points 8 points = 5% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 82% test avg. 84% test avg. 86% test avg. = 5% of 9 week grade

3^rd Grade 7 points 8 points 9 points 10 points = 5% of 9 week grade.

80% test avg. 82% test avg. 84% test avg. 86% test avg. = 5% of 9 week grade

4^th Grade 9 points 10 points 11 points 12 points = 5% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 82% test avg. 84% test avg. 86% test avg. = 5% of 9 week grade

These are minimum guide lines; the teachers along with the administration may determine to raise or lower individual requirements based on individual student’s performance. It is the intent of this program for each student to have his or her own individual goal.

Procedure for Upper Grades:

Student’s Reading Levels are determined by his/her Lexile Score from the previous SAT Test at which the student can be most successfully challenged. Once the level is determined, the student is given a minimum book range. For 5^th grade the minimum grade level is 4.0 and for 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades the minimum level is 5.0. Tests below student’s level will be blocked. THE GOAL IS FOR EACH CHILD TO BE READING AT THEIR GRADE LEVEL and for each student to earn a minimum score of 80% on each AR test. The teacher does reserve the right to require individual students to raise their minimum range based on performance.

Suggested Minimal 9 Week’s Goals by Grade Level:

1^st Quarter 2^nd Quarter 3^rd Quarter 4^th Quarter Percentage of Reading Grade

5^th Grade 11 points 12 points 13 points 14 points = 10% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 80% test avg. 83% test avg. 83% test avg. = 10% of 9 week grade

6^th Grade 13 points 14 points 15 points 16 points = 10% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 80% test avg. 83% test avg. 83% test avg. = 10% of 9 week grade

7^th Grade 15 points 16 points 17 points 18 points = 10% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 80% test avg. 83% test avg. 83% test avg. = 10% of 9 week grade

8^th Grade 17 points 18 points 19 points 20 points = 10% of 9 week grade

80% test avg. 80% test avg. 83% test avg. 83% test avg. = 10% of 9 week grade

TESTING (A/R Test):

All A/R test are taken on an RCE computer; Test can only be given by the Student’s ELA Teacher or Reading Coach; student may get permission from their ELA Teacher to take test with the school’s Librarian and/or Computer Lab Teacher. This is to ensure consistency, fairness and confidentiality.

A/R Rewards:

Each quarter students are rewarded for achieving their AR goal.

‘GOALIE’. . . . . .is a student who reaches 100% of their point goal and 100% of their comprehension goal

These students are allowed to wear free shoes, socks and any RCE t-shirt for an entire week.

‘STAR’ reader. . . . is a student who reaches 150% of their point goal and 100% of their comprehension goal

These students are allowed to wear free shoes, socks and any RCE t-shirt for an entire week and receive 2 free homework passes to be used in any class.

‘SUPER STAR’. . . . is a student who reaches 200% of their point goal and 100% of their comprehension goal

These students are allowed to wear free shoes, socks and any RCE t-shirt for an entire week, receive 2 free homework passes to be used in any class and receives 1 free quiz pass to be used in any class (at teacher’s discretion).

AR online address for parents:

Website for parents to check student’s progress in A.R.

https://hosted236.renlearn.com/209908/HomeConnect/login.aspx

Parents can set this site to send emails each time their students take a test.

Parents received a letter at the beginning of the year with your child’s user name –

usually first initial + first 4 letters of last name

Parents can use www.arbookfind.com to help your child to find book titles in his/her level.