Thank you, Tony. You said many of the things I had been planning to say when
I had a chance to write my response. The bottom line is that AR cannot be
nor does Renaissance Learning claim that it is a comprehensive reading
program. For our students, it is the "outside reading" component of their
English class and can be used for extra credit in physical science or
biology. It counts as a part of their English grade, but we don't provide
any other incentives. If a student really wants to read a particular book
that is outside of their reading range or isn't one with an AR quiz,
teachers are flexible and provide an alternative way to assess whether the
student actually read the book.
We have seen some increase in our reading scores since we began using the
program school-wide three years ago. And I've seen it encourage some of our
struggling readers as success on quizzes gives them immediate feedback on
their reading progress. I've even seen a few become avid readers because
they've used AR in conjunction with their regimented remedial reading
curriculum (Language! for those of you who want to know). In addition, our
good readers get credit for some of the reading they do -- which never
happened before....
As many others have said, the criticism of the program seems to be when it's
misused and placed as the only reading program a school uses. It's a great
adjunct program, but not a centerpiece.
Julie
Julie Anderson, Librarian
Liberty High School 425-837-4901
Renton, WA 98059
andersonj@issaquah.wednet.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Doyle [mailto:tdoyle@MUHSD.K12.CA.US]
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 8:14 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Accelerated Reader opinion/question
We don't use AR to develop a love of reading. We use to help develop
competent readers. I do all kinds of other reading promotions to deal with
the "love of reading". We have had school-wide Sustained Silent Reading
here for six years. We have spent over $200,000 (both state and local
money) in that time to get new reading books in the library and another
$50-75,000 for classroom libraries. We have a "print-rich" environment
with lots of new and interesting books. In the last 5 years the average
age of books in the library has decreased by 14 years. Yet our reading
scores have barely increased. And we know why. The kids with low scores
don't read. They hold up a book for 18 minutes and sit quietly but don't
read. Some come into class every day a grab a different book off the shelf
and put it back at the end of 18 minutes. We have tried not to
"criminalize" not reading. As long as a student does disturb others we
don't refer them to the office. We needed another tool to track reading
and diagnose problems and AR does that-- if used properly. I it working
for us? It is too soon to tell. But the writing on the wall is clear.
Test score must rise or the school will penalized. Kids must pass the
exit exam or they won't graduate.
The kids don't yet believe that last part because they have never been held
accountable for their own learning. We are desperate to increase reading
scores. We know that nothing else matters until the kids can read and we
are attacking the problem on multiple fronts. AR is just one tool we use,
not the total package. As far as denying kids great literature, almost
every prize winner, honor book, starred review, becomes an AR book. The
amount of quality literature available in the AR program far out-strips our
book budget. I have great AR books for every kid in the program and we
don't deny a kid a book they really want to read if it is not at their
level.
Almost every objection I have seen about AR revolves around how it is used
and abused, whether by teachers, parent, students, or administrators. Over
all Ar has been a plus for the library. I have much closer working
relationship with the English department. I talk to more kids about their
reading (problems and successes). And it has meant more money for books
without diverting existing funding to the program.
----
Tony Doyle, Librarian
Livingston High School
1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
209-358-2948
tdoyle@muhsd.k12.ca.us
<Http://www.lhs.muhsd.k12.ca.us/library/index.htm>
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get
people to stop reading them."-- Ray Bradbury
-----Original Message-----
From: janet perry [SMTP:perrybros@HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 5:36 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Accelerated Reader opinion/question
I guess I finally figured out what bothers me about librarians pushing AR.
At least in my case, I am not a reading teacher. I wonder about us pushing
testing after reading, and how this affects "a child's love of reading." I
know I certainly would not want to be tested on a book I have read, or to
be
told I couldn't read something not on my RL (think about all the award
books
we would be denied access to because they are "beneath" us). I have read
on
this list about several librarians who want to start the program, or don't
get cooperation from all the teachers. I would be interested in hearing
what the rationale is for running the program as part of the library. I
understand marking the books (on the inside for level, on the outside that
"we have a test"). I also understand if the school policy is that tests
will be administered in the library. I guess need to understand the
library
being the driving force behind the program. I just know in my experience I
hate hearing a kid say he/she can't get a book because it doesn't have a
test or is not the right level. That's not what I'm about, and I cannot
picture myself changing. Just my opinion.
Janet Perry, Librarian
Cerro Gordo CUSD 100, Cerro Gordo, IL
perrybros@hotmail.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home