Re: Is A. R. reading only for school/class time?

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So, you are saying that it is perfectly OK to use a program
incorrectly if you're only using it as a supplement?

On 11/18/09, City Teacher-hands tied wrote:
> My hands are completely tied. I can't change the goals (we have
> point celebrations, so I can't arbitrarily raise or lower a point
> total goal for a student)...I can't order more tests, I can't
> change what my entire school is doing- whether it is wrong or not.
> I was simply showing, by example, that every school does it
> differently. Unfortunately, only the special ed kids get individual
> goals based on their level. Everyone who is "Grade level" in
> reading (and above) gets to do the minimum 50 points in 4th grade.
> For some, it is low, and for others, it is impossible. They do get
> rewards for going above the point goal....
> I didn't say it was perfect. I know it is not.
> My school is not rich- we have not gotten AR tests in YEARS- new
> books haven't been ordered in 3 years, and we don't keep
> computerized reading logs, either. Their AR logs are hand written,
> oftentimes a child's parent NEVER signs the log the entire year....
> We have workshops for parents about AR and last year ONE parent
> came (out of a possible 980!). Lots of classes have 35 or more
> students with one teacher, and the kids are truly needy- for
> attention, love, and a safe place to spend the day. So, our AR
> program is not implemented properly. We use it as a supplement.
> On 11/12/09, Man do some of your schools need training!!!! wrote:
>> Answers in line....
>>
>>
>> On 11/12/09, CityTeacher wrote:
>>> What grade is your child in?
>>> In my school, AR is INDEPENDENT reading.
>> AR is independent reading it can be homework depending on the
>> age. In most middle schools there is very little time to add 60
>> minutes to the school day just for reading (60 being the ULTIMATE
>> amount of reading time a child needs per day). The next
> goal
>> time is 30 minutes a day, again that is a tough one to do in most
>> school schedules. AR came up with 20 minutes a day goal and that
>> might be doable within the school day. So whatever time a
>> student doesn't get at school he/she can make up at home. Most
>> classes get a few minutes at the end of their class(es) here and
>> there.
>>
>>
>> It is part of
>>> homework every night. The kids can read in the library and at
>>> lunch, too, but class time is not for AR reading in my
>>> school. It could be different in other schools. It is not
>>> used for a grade, but in my schools, there are rewards for
>>> kids who meet the monthly goals. LOTS of rewards!
>>
>> Many schools DO use it as a grade and skip the rewards,
>> especially now with budget limits for prizes and limits on food
>> prizes for health policies. Middle school uses the grades more
>> than the elementary schools. They grade the goal percentage made
>> and they grade percentage of passing averages of quizzes. Very
>> simple and very authentic to student ability.
>>
>>> The reading goals that my school uses are the grade level
>>> minimums suggested by Renaissance Learning, nothing more. In
>>> Kindergarten= 7 points per year. 1st grade= 20 points, 2nd
>>> grade is 30 points, and so on.... (I was told these were
>>> MINIMUMS set by the company, not us. I could have been told
>>> incorrect information, but that is what I recall from 7 years
>>> ago, and no one ever said anything differently.) Special Ed
>>> students have a different goal. It is based on their reading
>>> level grade equivalent. (a 4th grader reading on a 2nd grade
>>> level gets to do the 2nd grade goal) We've had 3 principals
>>> since I began, and none of them has ever changed the goals or
>>> the method.
>>
>> WOW! This is NOT how Ar sets up the goals. Please go to the Ren
>> Learn or Ren Place program and log in. do a search in the
>> program for the goal setting chart. It will list the procedure
>> to set individual goals based on each child's grade equivalent.
>> There is NO place in AR for goals made for each grade. Each
>> child needs a goal. This goal can be based on the grade
>> Equivalent from the STAR Reading test (Another AR product) or a
>> standardized test score the district already gives (ITBS....).
>> Then you set the time limit (60, 30, 20 minutes) and you come up
>> with an individualized goal for EACH child. Very easy to do and
>> the chart listed on the AR site is very helpful to set these
>> goals.
>>
>>
>>
>> Concerned parent why not ask your teacher to see this goal
>> setting chart from AR and your child's grade equivalent. You can
>> see the point goal for yourself and come to an agreement with the
>> teacher.
>>
>> It is important for students to have individualized goals based
>> on their abilities. Setting it low doesn't match all students
>> abilities. adjustments can be made for reluctant below grade
>> level readers.
>>
>> This program is to get children reading, setting goals, meeting
>> goals, monitoring progress, monitoring comprehension, expanding
>> vocabulary keep a computerized reading log...... Lots for this
>> program to do if run correctly!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 11/08/09, Concerned Parent wrote:
>>>> Please clear something up for me. Should my elementary
>>>> aged child have to read for A.R. outside of the classroom?
>>>> It is not for a grade. I think the teacher has given way
>>>> too many points as a goal, and I don't think my child
>>>> should be expected to get 19 points in a school quarter.
>>>> She would have to do some reading at home to accompish this
>>>> (I feel) and I don't think that is how the program is
>>>> supposed to work. Am I wrong? Also, wouldn't it be better
>>>> to give kids lower points goals so more kids can earn a
>>>> reward??? Isn't this program about helping kids feel
>>>> successful?
 

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