IRA Newsletter Project: Effective Literacy Website #3

Vanessa Leon Guerrero

ED638 Spring 2014

IRA Newsletter Project: Effective Literacy Website #3

Dr. M. Rivera

http://www.renaissance.com

In 2001, I transferred to Carbullido Elementary School as a third graded teacher.   It was there when I was introduced to The Accelerated Reader software program.  If my memory serves correct, I believe it was a piloted program only a few elementary public schools were fortunate to have as part of supplemental reading curriculum.  The school librarian then, Jean Tanaguchi, was coordinating the program, which made sense as the school library contains books of all genres.  It was my first time to experience the program and, consequently, had no knowledge about it.  I was informed by my colleagues that it was an effective learning tool and the great advantage about Accelerated Reader was it provided data and summarization reports for teachers to help monitor and track a student’s reading progress!  I was ecstatic to learn that I could actually utilize a computer-based software to help my students enhance their reading skills.  And, I vividly recall locating all my personal children’s literature books to label the ATOL or its “readability formula” (book level).  In fact, one section of my classroom comprised of a bookshelf of Accelerated Reader books.  Additionally, I discovered for myself that my students were engaged and motivated to want to read independently and take quizzes.

That was thirteen years ago when the computers we used were cumbersome and the printing machine spat out the perforated two-shaded green paper.  AR’s software appearance has undergone major changes through extensive technological and digital improvements since, although it would be interesting to investigate what schools on island are implementing the program.    

 The Accelerated Reader is a computer based reading software program, hosted through Renaissance Learning Data Center, designed help accelerate growth and success in students grades K-12 to improve and promote their independent reading practice.  To begin the program the teacher or librarian tests the child to determine their reading level using the STAR Reading assessment tool, a standardized reading test, or teacher made assessment.   A “readability formula” is used to calculate the range of the book level at which the child should be reading.  In other words, if the test result indicates the level at 2.5, the child would be identified as reading at second grade and five months into the school year.  The readability range can be a few months below or above their grade equivalent level.  Consequently, using the Zone of Proximal Development, a selected list of grade level appropriate books would be provided and encouraged by the teacher and librarian.  Fortunately for the student, he or she may choose books of interest and enjoyment.  An AR book finder compiles a wide range of fictional and nonfictional books, magazines and textbooks.

Subsequently, when the child completes the reading material a short multiple question quiz is taken for comprehension at which must be passed with a sixty percent or better.  A variety of quizzes are used to support the development of skills being addressed.  As an incentive, points are determined by the books level of difficulty and awarded upon the completion of each quiz. 

The Accelerated Reader, “computer-assisted instruction”, software program is an ever-growing and popular technology tool being used across America aimed to help teachers guide and monitor students’ independent reading.  It benefits the developing child to become independent readers while providing opportunities to challenge them to remain life-long learners.  Additionally, it’s an effective learning program to assess students’ reading levels, assigning reading materials at students’ levels, scoring tests on those readings, and charting students’ progress.

The website, http://www.renaissance.com provides a comprehensive and in-depth report of its effective, research-based, computer instruction reading program and all software products available for purchase.