Accelerated Reader and it Effects on the Reading Classroom

1. Accelerated Reader and it Effects on the Reading Classroom By: Caleyann Coleman EDLE 6322 Summer 2012

2. What is Accelerated Reader? • Program to teach reading comprehension and motivate students to read • Mainly used in Elementary and Middle Schools • How does it work? • STAR Assessment • Zone of Proximal Development • Quizzes • Points • Rewards

3. Renaissance Learning Claims… • Accelerated Reader is “the most cost-effective and successful reading software of all time” • It will… • “Make essential reading practice more effective for every student” • “Personalize reading practice to each student’s current level.” • “Manage all reading activities including read to, read with, and read independently.” • “Assess students’ reading with four types of quizzes: Reading Practice, Vocabulary Practice, Literacy Skills, and Textbook Quizzes.” • “Build a lifelong love of reading and learning.” (Renaissance Learning, 2012)

4. And the Study Says… Renaissance Learning’s website’s claims Yeh’s Study • 168 Research studies completed • 143 of those were independent studies • Positive results for the Accelerated Reading Program • “There is consensus among key federally funded organizations charged with evaluating educational products that Accelerated Reader is fully supported by scientifically based research. Moreover, these organizations agree that AR is effective in improving students’ reading achievement. • Looked at 22 reading and math programs. • Only one was more effective than Accelerated Reader • Accelerated Reader was the most cost effective. • “Comparasions of gains in student achievement suggest that Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math are several times more effective at raising student achievement than than most of other educational interventions studied” (Yeh, 2010).

5. A Study on the Effects of Accelerated Reader on 5th grade student’s Reading Achievement • 2 schools in Mississippi • Similar demographics • One school used AR the other didn’t • Surprising results • Makes you wonder… • What reading program was the other school using? • Were the teachers trained in AR?

6. Criticisms to Accelerated Reader • Ineffective • Teachers are untrained • Restrictions on student checkout • Student privacy concerns • Underuse of non AR books • Underuse of nonfiction section • Cost to the media center • Effect on selection of materials • Reward systems makes reading a chore

7. Can Accelerated Reader be useful? • The evidence points to YES but only if there is... • A highly trained staff • No restrictions on student checkout • No grade for AR quizzes or goals • AR labels only on insides of book covers • Ideally AR should be used within the classroom and not forced upon students beyond the classroom.

8. References • Creger, E. (2011). Browsing by numbers and reading for points. Knowl Quest, 39(4), 40-45. • Cuddeback, M., Ceprano, M. (2002). The use of Accelerated Reader with emergent readers. • Reading Improvement, 39 (2), 89-96. • Melton, C., Smothers, B., Anderson, E., Fulton, R., Replogle, W., Thomas, L. (2004). A study of the effects of accelerated reader program on fifth grade students’ reading achievement growth. Read Improv, 41 (1), 18-24. • Moyer, M., Williams, M. (2011). Customizing Accelerated Reader helps Delsea Regional High School encourage student reading. Knowl Quest, 39 (4), 68-73. • Renaissance Learning. (2012). Retrieved July 22, 2012, from http://www.renlearn.com/ar/research.aspx • Solley, K., (2011). Accelerated Reader can be an effective tool to encourage and bolster student reading. Knowl Quest, 39 (4), 46-49. • Yeh, S. S. (2010). The cost effectiveness of 22 approaches for raising student achievement. Journal of Education Finance, 36 (1), 38-75.