Re: [LM_NET] ELEM:In "charge" of AR

[Sharon Lawler <smclawler@GMAIL.COM>]

I could have written your letter, but I have a different conclusion, as did
the teacher who is in charge of the program at our middle school. I have
disentangled myself and the library, as much as I can, from what I
consider the "AR volunteer labor force". Since the program did not
significantly improve scores our school, because reading was already our
strong subject, and because it consumed an inordinate amount of time from
the library staff, as well as funds from the library budget, I turned the
classroom tasks over to the teachers. I do not run their reports.  I do not
unlock students.  I do not keep track of who is where in the race for the
points. I do not do the "store".  If the teacher believes in this computer
program, they have to be willing to do some of the "household tasks." So far
this year I have only added the tests that came free from the vendors or
publishers.  At the end of the year, if I have unspent funds, I will add a
tests with  that will probably never be available for free.  This year I
have concentrated more on information skills than ever before, and I have
gotten the library back on track as an information center rather than a
source of income for the AR company.
Sharon

On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 9:40 AM, Gail Wood <gwood1820@suddenlink.net> wrote:

> After 9 years of AR I am about to be fed up. It does  not appear to have
> helped our reading scores, is abused by some students and teachers, and
> drains me because the bulk of my day is consumed with dealing with it in
> some way or another. I have an aide that  check books in and out all day
> while I have classes. We have approx. 600 students participating who can
> come to the library once a day. We watch their scores and monitor and
> adjust. Quizzes print to the library so we see most of them, stamp them,
> etc.  I don't want to stop the program - we have invested $$$ and I am
> pretty sure the students would quit reading. Do you have any suggestions as
> to what my approach should be so that it does not rule my library program ?
> --
> Sharon M. Lawler, Librarian
> smclawler@gmail.com
> Randolph Elementary
> Bldg. 146 Harmon Drive
> Universal City, TX 78148
> (W) 210-357-2353 (C)210-391-8078
>
>

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