Dear Sara
If you are suggesting that I am one of those who have termed AR 'evil', then
you need to re-read my message. What I said was that if a school uses AR as
the primary assessment tool for reading progress to the extent that students
feel the need to cheat, then the school needs to re-assess its assessment
program. I said nothing about getting rid of AR although an implication of
my statement might be that the use of AR in such a school needs to be
examined.
As Teresa says, whenever AR is mentioned on this list it promotes huge
debate and often the bottom line is how it is implemented within a school.
However, during this current discussion I can find no one saying that it
should be thrown out, like dishwater or otherwise.
Barbara
Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
E.barbara.288@bigpond.com
Together, we learn from each other
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Sara Ralph
Sent: Thursday, 22 April 2010 9:20 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] rigging AR
Our students are not required to read AR books or take AR tests. They are
taught how to find a right books based on principles from Fountas and
Pinnell. I find it interesting how people (in general, not you specifically
Teresa) personify AR as evil. Is the only response to abuses of AR to throw
out the program like used dishwater? It was never meant to be sole basis of
reading instruction, or even the central basis. At our school it isn't, but
it does benefit our students as part of our overall reading program.
Sara Ralph, Librarian
Asheboro, NC
________________________________
From: Teresa Schauer <pettushs@gmail.com>
To: Sara Ralph <bibliophile26@yahoo.com>
Cc: LM_NET@listserv.syr.edu
Sent: Wed, April 21, 2010 7:06:22 PM
Subject: Re: rigging AR
I am replying to the whole list, only because whenever this topic comes up
and I respond, I get a ton of feedback. The whole "AR Debate" is one I am
very passionate about because the bottom line is, the majority of complaints
about the program involve how it's being implemented. There is a load of
information available about AR on our library site:
http://pettuslibrary.net/misconceptions.htm
Remember, it's about finding the perfect book for each student--and once a
student is no loger emmerging as a reader, finding that book typically has
NOTHING to do with its book level or it's points.
Blessings,
Teresa
On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 5:54 PM, Sara Ralph <bibliophile26@yahoo.com> wrote:
I disagree...just because there is a bad apple in the cart, doesn't mean we
need to throw away the entire cart.
>
>Unfortunately, some students (and parents) are dishonest; I would bet money
that if this student is cheating at AR, he/she is cheating at other things
as well.
>
>We have prizes at the end of the year for points. If a student is caught
"cheating," they are simply removed from the program and no longer
participate. Instances are rare (it has been three years since the last
one) and our reading instruction does not depend heavily on AR; in fact, our
teachers' instruction in reading focuses more on questions that promote
higher level thinking (rather than the basic comprehension questions found
on AR quizzes (at least the reading practice ones). However, students (esp.
beginning readers) feel good about themselves when they do well on AR
(without any prize or incentive).
>
>Sara Ralph, librarian
>Asheboro, NC
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM>
>To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>Sent: Wed, April 21, 2010 5:20:45 PM
>Subject: Re: rigging AR
>
>
>Okay, so I am going to open a can of worms again but ...
>
>What is the problem with students rigging their results in whatever way
>UNLESS...
>
>AR points (and the like) are such an integral part of a school's
>assessment program that students and parents see these as the most
>important indicators of a student's reading ability.
>
>And if that is the case, why is this so? What does it say about the
>depth of a school's reading program and its assessment? What does it
>say about the quality of the child's learning? What does it say about
>the quality of the teaching? If a child is not yet reading
>independently, how can specific feedback that focuses on personalised
strategies be offered?
>
>I know AR is not meant to be used in this way but it is, and if I were
>in charge of its administration in a school where students felt
>compelled to be devious in order to gain points, then I would be
>looking at the school's philosophy to identify why this is so. In this
>particular case, I don't think that it is solely a parent issue. If a
>school's assessment program (and the subsequent impacts on the student)
>is open to external manipulation by those with the money, inclination
>or opportunity then I believe it is the program that needs to be reviewed.
>Barbara
>
>
>Barbara Braxton
>Teacher Librarian
>COOMA NSW 2630
>E.barbara.288@bigpond.com
>Together, we learn from each other
>
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--
Teresa Schauer
District Librarian/Pettus ISD
Pettus, Texas
tschauer@pettusisd.esc2.net
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