AR Goals Information

AR Goals and Expectations:

Each fifth grade student will take the computerized STAR reading test three times: in August, December/January, and May. These tests will be used to help determine the student's independent reading level, track reading comprehension development, and accurately place students in a reading range for Accelerated Reader (AR) book choice and goals.

Reading ranges are set up to give students the opportunity to practice reading on their own at a level that will allow them to successfully understand what they have read, as well as increase their reading comprehension and vocabulary recognition. Generally, students should read books in all parts of their reading range. Start near the middle of the reading range; if the AR test shows less than 80% comprehension, then choose books that are less difficult. If AR test scores are consistently in the 90%-100% range, choose more challenging reading material to improve reading ability.

Each student will be given an individualized set of four goals per school quarter. The goals will include an average percent-correct goal, a total points goal, an average minimum book level goal, and a certification goal. The goals are chosen based on the student's STAR test scores (checked against previous STAR and AR performance). Average percent-correct goals are generally set at 85%. A chart provided by the AR company helps the teacher select the appropriate number of total points a child should be able to earn in a certain number of weeks, based on the amount of time spent on independent reading five days a week. The average minimum book level goal corresponds to the lowest book level in the child's reading range. Finally, certification goals are set based on the student's previous performance, reading level, and criteria that are individulized to each certificate available in the AR program.

Fifth grade students are expected to read a total of 30 minutes per day, for five days a week, in their AR book. Generally, as a teacher, I will schedule class time to read AR books for 20 minutes per day for four days per week. This leaves 10 minutes per night on Monday-Thursday, and 30 minutes over the weekend, that are the student's responsibility to read outside of class time.

Students keep a written record at school that tracks the books they read, page numbers, book levels, and point values. Each time a student takes an AR test, the results are recorded in the written record, and a printed report is sent home for parents to view. Parents are also welcome to come into the classroom after school to view their children's written records.

Students should begin reading and testing on AR books as soon as school starts, based on their AR range from the end of the previous school year. Books that have been read and tested on the AR system in previous school years will not be available for a student to "test again" to earn points for the current school year.

Ways to earn AR Points:

1.  Take the AR test for the first time at school. (Check early on that this will be available. If it is a book that the school AR system does have available, you may optionally take the BookAdventure test as a practice test before taking the AR test at school.)

To check the Sacred Heart School AR test list, use the AR Quiz List link on the vertical navigation bar.

2.  If the AR test is not available at our school, but the AR company DOES have that book’s test as an option for the school to purchase, there are two possibilities:

• If it is available as a Book Adventure test, you need to take the test for the FIRST TIME AT SCHOOL for it to be accepted toward AR point goals. If you take this test at home or outside of the regular school day first, you will not be awarded full points!!!
• If the book is not available as a Book Adventure test, the students may then complete a written form about their book to earn AR points.  (Ask for this form at school.)

You may check the list of all books that currently have AR tests offered by the AR company (as well as their book levels and point values) by going online to AR books from the AR company. Look up the title or author that you are interested in to see if it is offered (just don't actually order).

NOTE: If the book does NOT have an AR test available from the AR program company at all, it is not eligible for earning AR points.

Book Adventure website address: http://www.bookadventure.com/index.asp

Your BookAdventure user name and your password will be given to you at school during August or September.

Common Problems Students Encounter:

• Student attempts to re-test on a book read during a previous year. (Not allowed without special teacher permission - rarely granted; no points awarded.)
• Student "hops" from book to book for several days or weeks in a row and fails to complete a book in a timely manner. (Student does not meet his/her goals due to lack of testing.)
• Student attempts to test on a book after watching a movie. (Usually causes a failing score; results: no points, no opportunity to take the test after actually reading the book, and lowers the student's average percent correct score.)
• Student attempts to test on a book that is not offered by the AR company. (Not allowed; no points awarded.)
• Student attempts to test on a book without actually reading the entire book carefully. (Usually causes a failing score; results: no points, no opportunity to take the test after actually reading the book, and lowers the student's average percent correct score.)
• Student does not use silent reading time in class well, and/or does not read at home, so fails to complete a book in a timely manner. (Student does not meet his/her goals due to lack of testing.)
• Student attempts to read and test on many books within the last week of the quarter, due to lack of reading throughout the quarter. (Usually causes failing scores; results: no points, no opportunity to take the tests after actually reading the books, and greatly lowers the student's average percent correct score.)