"Percentage correct isn't intended to be a reading grade"

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"Percentage correct isn't intended to be a reading grade"

by middle school mom

Jan 18, 2010

"Percentage correct isn't intended to be a reading grade, but to show whether the student read and comprehended the book." You can find that here [link removed]

or follow the web pages from [link removed].

When quiz scores are used as grades, and the whole ZPD thing goes out the window.

Sure, not everyone reads instructions for everything they buy. But I know you'll understand that parents grow a tad concerned when they see their child's teacher doesn't follow directions for a product they are using on their kid.

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Ima Teacher There is an adapted grading scale that addresses this issue. For instance, all students with 85% or higher get a 100% grade. According to program guidelines, students reading at an 85% are working in their ideal area for growth. That means the books are giving a challenge. If they are doing consistently better, the books may be too short or too eas...See More

Jan 18, 2010

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middle school mom On 1/18/10, Ima Teacher wrote:

> "No matter what you are researching, you can find research to support your opinion."

Not so fast. With all due respect, this line is a classic cop out.

Of all people, teachers know that not all research is equally valid. The ability to weigh competing evidence in distinguishing fact fro...See MoreOn 1/18/10, Ima Teacher wrote:

> "No matter what you are researching, you can find research to support your opinion."

Not so fast. With all due respect, this line is a classic cop out.

Of all people, teachers know that not all research is equally valid. The ability to weigh competing evidence in distinguishing fact from opinion is pretty fundamental to a civil society. We can examine the source behind research and the methodology in determining what is true or persuasive. Heaven help us if we don't discern the difference between sound and unsound research.

> > "Originally the said that if students were scoring 100% on all > quizzes, that was not a good thing. Students needed to read > longer and/or more difficult books. > > They revised that a few years ago. A great deal of that had > to do with students who were reading way above grade level. > For instance, some of my 7th graders are reading on college > level. If they are reading on the lower end of their ZPD > range and consistently making 100%, then I would--for below > level and average kids--enourage them to move up in the > reading difficulty by getting a longer book, a harder book, > or a different genre. The problem with these high level kids > is that moving them up often puts them into books that are > not age appropriate. Therefore, after talking with those who > use the program regularly within the guidelines, they > realized that in some instances, students ARE going to be > getting 100% on all books and not have to move up in ZPD to > be challenged. This is where they move to other genres or > longer length books, and not into a higher ZPD."

I wonder, in AR as you say it should be practiced, who then moves "high level kids" into other genres or longer books? The teacher, in school? Or is the student instructed by their teacher what types of reading they must do on their own time, as homework?

This is important, so please don't discount it. Please keep in mind, we all know AR is separate from literature instruction that is part of the curriculum (reading and discussing Tom Sawyer, for instance).

Is there any sound research indicating that directly dictating book selection in the way you describe above, as a requirement, is beneficial or even harmless?

"Ima teacher," I truly appreciate your nuanced knowledge of Renaissance Learning's intentions in designing AR and your clarifications here. Unfortunately, too many schools use AR as a sledghammer to force reading, and they use it wrong, and it's hurting kids.

I would think Renaissance Learning would actively seek to correct uses that are wrong, since they seem to have a PR problem on their hands as more and more parents, teachers, literacy experts and librarians speak out about the harm they are seeing to kids'reading motivation.

The solution is to make AR voluntary, if a school chooses to use it at all.

Jan 18, 2010

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Ima Teacher B>Of all people, teachers know that not all research is equally valid.

Of course, I know that. There is valid research for both sides. And even as a fan of the program, I see fualts within the program, especially in the area of training users. I never said otherwise.

I wonder, in AR as you say it should be practiced, who then m...See More

Jan 18, 2010

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yes, I am a teacher It really sounds like you are not happy with the AR program at YOUR students' school. You are frustrated because you haven't been able to adjust the classroom to what you want for your child, please do not take it out on the teachers who come to this board to share ideas and to get suggestions from others using the program.

Jan 19, 2010

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middle school mom On 1/19/10, yes, I am a teacher wrote: > "It really sounds like you are not happy with the AR program at YOUR > students' school. You are frustrated because you haven't been able to > adjust the classroom to what you want for your child, please do not > take it out on the teachers who come to this board to share ideas and > to get su...See More

Jan 20, 2010

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