What is Accelerated Reader?
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a reading programme that helps children develop a love of reading while allowing teachers to monitor their progress and understanding.
Children choose books that match their reading ability and interests. After finishing a book, they can take a short online quiz to check their understanding of what they have read.
AR helps to:
-
encourage regular reading
-
develop reading comprehension skills
-
motivate children to challenge themselves with new books
-
provide instant feedback to pupils
-
help teachers monitor reading progress and identify pupils who may need additional support
How does Accelerated Reader work?
Children are encouraged to choose books independently using a variety of book-selection strategies. Once they have finished reading a book, they can complete an online multiple-choice quiz based on the story or information in the book.
Quizzes typically contain 5, 10 or 20 questions, depending on the length and difficulty of the book.
The programme:
-
marks the quiz automatically
-
records the child's score
-
awards points for successful completion
-
tracks reading progress over time
Teachers can use this information to monitor both the amount of reading a child is doing and how well they understand what they read.
All quizzes are completed independently and are designed to support children's learning and confidence as readers.
How do teachers support children?
Teachers help pupils by:
-
guiding them towards books that match their reading ability and interests
-
encouraging them to explore different authors, genres and types of texts
-
providing opportunities to read independently, share reading with others and enjoy being read to
Because children are reading books at an appropriate level, they are more likely to experience success, enjoy reading and make steady progress at their own pace.
How can I help my child become a better reader?
The best way to improve reading is through regular practice.
You can support your child by:
-
encouraging them to read every day
-
talking about the books they are reading
-
asking questions about characters, events and themes
-
reading together at home
-
visiting your local library
-
celebrating their reading achievements
Even a short period of daily reading can make a significant difference to a child's confidence, fluency and understanding.
What is a STAR Reading Test?
STAR Reading is an online assessment used to identify your child's current reading level and help teachers select appropriate books.
The assessment uses adaptive technology, which means that the questions become more challenging when a child answers correctly and easier if they find a question difficult.
The test:
-
is completed on a computer
-
uses multiple-choice questions
-
takes around 20 minutes
-
provides teachers with detailed information about reading ability and progress
The results help teachers identify a child's reading range and ensure they are selecting books that provide the right level of challenge and support.
Our goal is simple: to help every child become a confident, enthusiastic and successful reader. Through Accelerated Reader, children are encouraged to enjoy books, develop strong comprehension skills and take ownership of their reading journey.