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Accelerated Reader Chatboard

Accelerated reader

by Imaparent

Mar 30, 2010

Should ar points be counted as 20 percent of my childs reading grade. In my childs school she is required to get at least 20 points each nine weeks. If she fails to reach her goal by the end of the nine weeks and she had an A in reading class, her reading grade on her report card will be a C. If she does not have at least half of her points by mid term she is not allowed to perticapate in gym class or recess. She attends a plubic school and this is the only school in the district that does this. are they allowed to require this at one school but not all schools?

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A Parent Well, we have something in common then, we both choose not to listen.

Home-schooling may be the best option.

On 4/12/10, Why? wrote: > This question has already been answered for you multiple times. Two people > have explained it. You choose not to listen. > > I shall not waste my time explaining it to you again. > ...See More

Apr 12, 2010

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to-A Parent (aka Fireman Dad?) Those of us whom have taught scores (hundreds, in my case) of students for years, know we need to do more than read one page of a manual before we know it all. You cannot expect children to fulfill a reading requirement (goal) and then tell them it really doesn't count for anything tangible. They need some motivation and that's why it is a portion ...See More

Apr 12, 2010

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to-A Parent-just to clarify Just to clarify further, this is why it counts for a grade, NOT why we use AR in the first place. I'm sure you know that.

On 4/12/10, to-A Parent (aka Fireman Dad?) wrote: > Those of us whom have taught scores (hundreds, in my > case) of students for > years, know we need to do more than read one page of a > manual before we k...See More

Apr 12, 2010

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funny arent,

I am just questioning how a program is run because of how it is apparently contrary to how the EXPERTS that made the program say it is to be run. I understand that it also says because we know schools will grade it so here are the guidelines for that. My question is and remains, why?

Funny’s Response: Parent, I’m just ...See Morearent,

I am just questioning how a program is run because of how it is apparently contrary to how the EXPERTS that made the program say it is to be run. I understand that it also says because we know schools will grade it so here are the guidelines for that. My question is and remains, why?

Funny’s Response: Parent, I’m just a K-5 classroom teacher who uses AR scores to give my parents that extra feedback about how their child’s comprehension is doing. I love the fact that children can choose books at their own level (even on Amazon w/ parent help)! I’m in no way an expert or an AR trainer; that was a different poster, whom I respect greatly. I think your question is a good one and maybe I should have read what you were saying more quickly before making sarcastic analogies about the doctor’s office.

You posted earlier that schools MUST translate it into a grade to use the program...why?

Funny’s Reponse: I’m not an expert in AR so don’t quote me on this, but I don’t think it says anywhere in my district that schools MUST translate it into a grade, but I do know of other districts who make it mandatory. It is a reliable method that is fair and equitable; it would be hard for teachers to “fudge” grades and easy for students to understand what they need to do in order to succeed. I’m guessing that is the philosophy behind it (that’s only a guess).

Finally... So why do we have to take your advice?

Funny’s Response: You’re right actually; you shouldn’t be forced to take our advice. However, if each parent had a different opinion about what the program would/should be it could get really tricky for the teacher. (I’ve actually experienced this in a 2nd grade classroom). I think this is a fine line, but one all educators & parents should respect and tread on carefully in either direction.

Thank you for your response and apology. I apologize as well for making this in any way a personal issue. It is not a personal issue with you or any other teacher. I have just got the run around about questioning the grading of AR when it plainly says it is not recommended. I believe this is the first time anyone has admitted that AR does say it is not to be graded.

It is frustrating to be a parent and be told by teachers that because we can is why we grade or that we are the teachers and we know what is best and answers of similar nature. I am not the one saying it should not be graded, Renlearn says it and I'm just asking the question.

Funny’s Response: You’re most welcome. In the end we both want the same thing…what’s best for our children/students. I appreciate your desire to be involved and right to an opinion. In the end, I’m not sure we’ll agree, but I’d rather have 10 proactive parents with passion like you, instead of 10 parents I have to BEG to help their children with homework! (This frankly is more the norm). Thank you and good luck in finding the answer you seek…I honestly don’t have one and probably should have kept my nose out of this. :(

-Stefany (AKA funny) (OK folks, I promise! No more responses. I'll move on! hehe)

On 4/12/10, A Parent wrote: > On 4/12/10, funny_response to parent wrote: >> Parent, >> >> Your personal attack in accusing me of walking around with blinders >> on (in response to my comment about seeing the doctor) is exactly my >> point about dealing with ridiculous parents and/or customer demands >> these days. It is quite difficult for professionals in any field to >> do their jobs without getting attacked by non-experts (in that >> particular field) who’ve read an article or two online or a teacher’s >> manual and think they have the right to dictate how the program, car, >> etc. should be fixed. (Although, in your defense, my sarcasm in a >> prior post was out of line so I have to own my part in this). > > I am just questioning how a program is run because of how it is > apparently contrary to how the EXPERTS that made the program say it is > to be run. I understand that it also says because we know schools will > grade it so here are the guidelines for that. My question is and > remains, why? You posted earlier that schools MUST translate it into a > grade to use the program...why? > > >> >> A customer (or parent) comes in with a problem or perspective, and >> most often it really is a professional judgment call. Do mechanics, >> doctors, and teachers make mistakes? You bet! Those are the times >> when customers/parent must speak up to protect themselves! I am >> thankful for respectful feedback, when given, because I am human and >> would want parents to point out if I’ve missed the mark or have made >> a mistake that isn’t in the best interest of their child. After all, >> the ultimate goal here is what is best for teaching our students and >> children right? >> >> The point I am making is that parents need to allow educators to make >> judgment calls about these types of programs; otherwise any idiot >> robot can read the manual and press the computer button. Does the AR >> program advise educators not to use scores for grading purposes? >> Yes! > > Finally... > > > > Does that mean we have to take the advice? No. > > > So why do we have to take your advice? > > > We have to >> alter the materials we have to make learning measurable and >> reliable. >> >> I apologize for my earlier sarcasm, it was inappropriate and >> counterproductive. Sometimes I just get so frustrated because we all >> have the best intentions…what’s best for these kiddos, yet we end up >> nipping at each other. I know you only care so much because you love >> your children. > > > Thank you for your response and apology. I apologize as well for making > this in any way a personal issue. It is not a personal issue with you > or any other teacher. I have just got the run around about questioning > the grading of AR when it plainly says it is not recommended. I believe > this is the first time anyone has admitted that AR does say it is not to > be graded. > > It is frustrating to be a parent and be told by teachers that because we > can is why we grade or that we are the teachers and we know what is best > and answers of similar nature. I am not the one saying it should not be > graded, Renlearn says it and I'm just asking the question. > > > >> >> -Stefany (Funny’s Real Name) >> >> On 4/09/10, A Parent wrote: >>> >>> Hey funny... do you blindly follow and believe anything everyone >>> tells you? Do you not have enough confidence in common sense and >>> enough awareness that prompts you to ask questions when you see >>> something going wrong and with facts from the manufacturer to >>> prove it? Look where that kind of blind vision got us in the last >>> presidential election. Keep those blinders on!! >>> >>> >>> >>> On 4/09/10, funny wrote: >>>> Oh Imma Teacher don't you know that when a parent reads a >>>> website that makes them an expert? All your training and >>>> common sense judgments have no merit! LOL! It doesn't make >>>> sense for a professionally trained educator to have the right >>>> to make a "judgment" call. So ridiculous! >>>> >>>> >>>> On 4/09/10, Ima Teacher wrote: >>>>> Answers in-line . . . >>>>> >>>>> On 4/09/10, A Parent wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Since some like the doctor analogy, how about this >>>>>> one.... You buy a car and take it home to find out it >>>>>> is not running properly. You take it back to the dealer >>>>>> and tell them and they tell you, oh, its ok, I went to >>>>>> mechanic school and I say its ok and not a problem. You >>>>>> look at the owners manual and its apparent that the >>>>>> machanic is not following the manufacturer's >>>>>> recommendations for the correct grade of oil. If you >>>>>> see a discrepancy in what the manufacturer says and >>>>>> what the mechanic says, do you still question the >>>>>> mechanic because they went to mechanic school, even >>>>>> though its YOUR car? >>>>> >>>>> And, then, the TRAINED MECHANIC explains to the car >>>>> owner that the owner's manual is designed with the typical >>>>> drive in mind. After discussing the situation with the >>>>> owner, it is apparent to the mechanic that the driver is >>>>> NON-TYPICAL. Fortunately, the mechanic has spent many >>>>> hours working with your vehicle, and all that training >>>>> also includes information on how to work with non-typical >>>>> driving situations. >>>>> >>>>> The owner, however, cannot believe that a MERE MECHANIC >>>>> would actually know anything because, of course, the >>>>> owner's manual is ONLY way that things could possibly be >>>>> done. Stupid mechanic. We all know that the printed word >>>>> of an untrained person reading one manual trumps the >>>>> knowledge gathered during many years of active work with >>>>> the company and specific vehicle. >>>>> >>>>>> Ima Teacher, according to your post on 5-10, you say >>>>>> secondary schools MUST have a way to grade if they want >>>>>> to use the program.... why? It looks to me like AR is >>>>>> an independant reading program and the quizzes are a >>>>>> way of tracking if the student read the book, not to >>>>>> give a reading comprehension grade, and renlearn >>>>>> somewhat makes that very clear the way I read it. To me >>>>>> it looks like renlearn knows teachers are using it >>>>>> incorrectly or at least not the way it was designed and >>>>>> therefore came out with "guidelines" for >>>>>> those who choose not to take their recommendations. >>>>> >>>>> Have you ever taught in a secondary school? For that >>>>> matter, have you ever taught in an elementary school? >>>>> Secondary teacher see many more students in a day. They >>>>> see them for less time. Children in middle and high >>>>> school are often NOT inclined to do any work that they do >>>>> not see as tied to a grade. While there are self- >>>>> motivated readers out there who will read no matter what, >>>>> there are more who do not like it and don't want to do >>>>> it. We use standards-based grading, so we must be able to >>>>> show a student's progress toward a standard, which >>>>> translates into a grade. I would love to read for the >>>>> sake of reading, but in reality it just doesn't work. >>>>> >>>>> Yes, the program does measure independent reading. But, >>>>> did you know that "independent" doesn't mean that the >>>>> student merely gets books and read them and tests on >>>>> them? There is teacher involvement all along the way. >>>>> Independent reading is more complicated than many think. >>>>> >>>>> Obviously the company is not completely against the use of >>>>> grades or they would not have come up with grading >>>>> policies. Many schools MISUSE THE GRADING POLICY, which >>>>> is where the problem occurs. And this is due to LACK OF >>>>> TRAINING, which I have harped upon for years. >>>>> >>>>> Did you know that they have also changed their point goals >>>>> over the years? The original program was designed for 60 >>>>> minutes of daily in-class reading. Then, after feedback >>>>> from users, they realized that secondary schools did not >>>>> have time in their day for an hour of reading. So, in >>>>> response to user input, they now have goals for shorter >>>>> amounts of time per day. They did this the same year that >>>>> they added the grading policy. >>>>> >>>>> I was even part of the group of teachers who gave them >>>>> input over the years, since I have been through their >>>>> trainer certification program. It was not, as you seem to >>>>> believe, a matter of "those stupid teachers are doing what >>>>> they want, so we'll just let them". They listened to our >>>>> needs and adapted their program. >>>>> >>>>> And if you can't understand that, then I don't know what >>>>> to do for you.

Apr 12, 2010

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middle school parent It would be very helpful in advancing this discussion if teachers posting here clearly and factually established what Accelerated Reader is and is not.

A quick glance at the company's own information ([link removed].

AR does not teach reading -- that is something else entirely, as teachers know.

Everyone can agree, I thin...See MoreIt would be very helpful in advancing this discussion if teachers posting here clearly and factually established what Accelerated Reader is and is not.

A quick glance at the company's own information ([link removed].

AR does not teach reading -- that is something else entirely, as teachers know.

Everyone can agree, I think, that increasing reading practice helps in many academic areas, so "How do we get students to read?" becomes the basic issue.

This is where opinions diverge, because some schools that purchase AR tack on prizes and grades as carrot and sticks, aka bribes and threats, as a means of enforcing AR reading requirements -- even though AR explicitly discourages those practices! (Again, see Ren. Learn web site for details.)

Schools and teachers can argue, rationalize and justify "off- label" implementions of AR, and Renaissance Learning can (and does) look the other way, but does that make it right?

There is a great body of literature out there by literacy professionals on how best to motivate students to read (just to read, we're not talking direct instruction here). I urge schools and teachers, whom I regard as professionals -- with the ethical duties that come with that classification -- to consult literacy experts and research before they apply AR, in any way that suits their needs regardless of manufacturer's recommendations, to living, breathing students.

On 4/12/10, to-A Parent-just to clarify wrote: > Just to clarify further, this is why it counts for a grade, > NOT why we use AR in the first place. I'm sure you know that. > > On 4/12/10, to-A Parent (aka Fireman Dad?) wrote: >> Those of us whom have taught scores (hundreds, in my >> case) of students for >> years, know we need to do more than read one page of a >> manual before we know it all. You cannot expect >> children to fulfill a reading requirement (goal) and >> then tell them it really doesn't count for anything >> tangible. They need some motivation and that's why it >> is a portion of their grade. Grades motivate them more >> than some stupid plastic piece of junk given for a >> prize anyway. Frequently when given assignments, the >> first thing they ask is "does this count for a >> grade?" You can bet your bottom dollar if they >> think it doesn't, most of them will put little or no >> effort into it. We also have to come up with something >> to justify the grade we give them so if you expect them >> to do it, it needs to be counted toward that grade. >> Notice, I say toward the grade, not anywhere near the >> entire grade. All of this comes from vast experience >> with kids, the AR program, lots of training, and I know >> what works and what doesn't. This has all been covered >> repeatedly (read the entire month of January's posts) >> so can we please move on here? >> >> >> On 4/12/10, Why? wrote: >>> This question has already been answered for you >>> multiple times. Two people have explained it. You >>> choose not to listen. >>> >>> I shall not waste my time explaining it to you again. >>> >>> Perhaps home-schooling would be the best option for >>> your child. >>> >>> >>> On 4/12/10, A Parent wrote: My question is and >>>> remains, why? You posted earlier that schools MUST >>>> translate it into a grade to use the program...why?

Apr 13, 2010

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