We use the Accelerated Reader (AR) program to promote the practice of reading and comprehension skills. At its most basic level, students read books, take tests on those books, and earn points toward a reading goal. When they reach their goal, they get to participate in a special reward activity.
Students are assessed monthly. Based upon these assessments, students receive a grade equivalent (GE) score and a reading range called their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
The GE is a two-digit score, the digits separated by a decimal point (for example: 2.4). The first number refers to the grade level, and the second number refers to the month of that grade level. So, a student who has a GE of 2.4 can read and understand books that are appropriate for a student in the fourth month of second grade.
The ZPD is the range of the books that children need to be reading to gain the most benefit; think of it as the Goldilocks rule - you need books that are 'just right' if you are to grow as a reader, you don't benefit academically from books that are too easy or too hard. A ZPD will be two GE scores separated by a dash (for example: 1.8-2.8). Children should be reading books that fall within their ZPD.
You can find GE levels on ARBookFind.com. Enter the name of the book you are looking for and, if the book has an AR test, you will see a result like this:
The GE is located above where it says "BL:2.6." The GE of this book is the sixth month of second grade. If a student takes the test and earns 100%, they will earn 0.5 points (most books are 0.5 points).
Students can read AR books at home, but they can only take AR tests at school. For a test score to count towards their goal, students must score 85% or higher.
