Accelerated Reader
A Guide for Educators
What is Accelerated Reader?
AR is a computer program that helps teachers and
librarians manage and monitor children’s independent
reading practice.
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Your
child picks a book at his own level and reads it at his or her
own pace.
Students choose their own books to read. This makes
reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can
choose books that are interesting to them.

How does Accelerated Reader
work?
After finishing the selected book, students take a short computerized quiz.
(Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.)
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Students
earn points when they pass quizzes and passing quizzes can indicate
to teachers and librarians what reading level students should be on.
If
a student does not do well on the quiz, the teacher or librarian can assist the
student by:
Helping the student choose another book that is more appropriate.

Asking more probing questions as the student reads and before the student takes
a quiz.
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Pairing the student with another student, or even have the book read to the
student.
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How are students’ goals set?
Student’s reading level

Time spent reading

Time frame of goal
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______________________
GOAL
How are points assigned to
books?
Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given
a point value. AR points are computed based on the
difficulty of the book (ATOS readability level) and the
length of the book (number of words).

How many points is this book
worth?
Students can use their search box on their account OR
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Students, Teachers, or Parents can visit the website
www.arbookfind.com to check AR point value or reading
level for books.

Searches
can be conducted by title, partial title, or author.
What if there isn’t a quiz for this
book?
New quizzes are added weekly.

Renaissance Place accepts requests for new quizzes.

Teachers and Librarians can make tests for books.

These homemade tests will be replaced by the real test when Renaissance
Place makes a test for the book.
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How are points earned?
When a student tests on a book, they receive
points based on the percentage of questions correct.
For example, 100% correct will earn full points, but
60% - 99% will only earn partial points. If a
student scores below 60% it is considered a failing
test and the student does not receive any points.

Can a student pass a test without
reading the book?
While possible, it is highly unlikely. If a student fails a test
it is for one of two reasons—either a) the student did not
read the book or b) the student did not comprehend the
book. The latter of which should be evaluated by the
student’s reading teacher.

In the case of movies based off books, the questions are
designed so students cannot pass by only watching the
movie.

Once a test is failed, it cannot be attempted in the future
when the book is actually read or re-read.

Is Accelerated Reader
Common Core aligned?
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature,
including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text
complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at
the high end of the range.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary
nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band
proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of
the range.

Is Accelerated Reader
Common Core aligned?
Studies show that students who are
encouraged to read books of interest to
them and within their target range
become more engaged in reading and
graduate to more increasingly complex
text as the Common Core requires.

Parental Involvement?
Accelerated Reader allows parents to monitor a student’s
progress towards reading goals.

Accelerated Reader allows parents to conduct book
searches.

Accelerated Reader allows parents to review results, view
the number of books read, words read, and quizzes passed.

Accelerated
Reader open house
Is Accelerated Reader proving
effective?
First Year of Accelerated Reader at NJHS

SRI
scores
TLI
Scores
Benchmark
There
(TBA)
are over 168
research studies that
support the overall
effectiveness of AR.
Technical Support?

Automatic software updates and upgrades.
Provides live chat support to answer questions and
provide immediate assistance

Hosts Webinars to train faculty (professional
development)

Questions or Comments?
Accelerated Reader?

Implementation?

Structure?

Books?

Testing?
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Other?

How can I motivate my students to do
well with Accelerated Reader?
FOOD!

Tokens
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In-class competitions
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Compete against the teacher

Hall of Fame

Top Achiever Recognition

“PopStar” Coupon
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References
Meador, Derrick. "Accelerated Reader: Review of
Accelerated Reader." Accelerated Reader: Review of Accelerated
Reader. About.com, n.d. Web. 1 Apr 2014.
<http://teaching.about.com/od/tech/fr/AcceleratedReader.htm>.
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http://www.corestandards.org/
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http://www.renaissance.com/Resources
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