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For almost 20 years, my district has used Accelerated Reader
in grades K-8. In grades K-5, we have used it as an incentive program to encourage
independent reading; in 6-8 it has been a component of project-based
independent reading. More recently we have incorporated the STAR tool as part
of our student data profiles, which has been both harmful and helpful in equal
measures. Two years ago, when I became the reading department head, overseeing
the program K-8 became part of my responsibilities. This was also when we
restructured our two K-5 buildings into a K-3 literacy center and a 4-5 STEM
building. The more time I spend looking
at how we are using AR to create a culture of “readers,” the more I question
whether or not this type of program is really helping our students, or if it
is, in the long run, giving them a false sense of their ability to interact
with text in a meaningful way because they can pass low-level comprehension
tests.
The push for reading of quantity over reading for quality is
the first issue I am struggling with. I see how our primary students strive to earn
incentive points, and I see a place for it in the grand scheme of supporting
emergent readers and fostering an excitement for reading. But the older they
get, the less effective the program seems to be in increasing comprehension, as
students are not able to delve more deeply into layers of the books they read.
The other big issue I have is how we use STAR reading levels
to discourage readers from picking books they want to read and forcing them
into a “reading range.” It is much easier to use those numbers to protect
students from struggling by giving them a book “on their level” that they don’t
want to read, than to allow them to choose a more challenging book and
providing individualize assistance and strategies to help them access it. There
is a fine balance between letting students struggle with texts they really want
to read, and having students become so frustrated with reading that they just
give up altogether.
I want the classrooms in my district to be places where
students, when given a choice, are free to read what they want to read,
regardless of their prescribed book levels. I want students to be able to dive
into a book and surface with a deeper understanding of the world around them.
And I want them, above all, to know that reading itself is a reward and that
the prize is the connections they make with the text that help them learn and
grow as a person and not just a reader. I just don’t know if AR, beyond the
primary grades, is the means to that end.
I've never been an AR fan. It is quantity of words, not quality of reading. Your comment reminds me of the system in my son's school library, where there is no librarian and the aide who used to run the place did not allow kids to go outside their "grade" level for choosing books. I mean, what?
ReplyDeleteKevin
I would hope that a program would be to encourage the love of reading...the adventures it can take the reader...the desire to read another book and the desire to share what you have read. I don't like setting a level or a number as to what is successful...reminds me too much of putting our creative minds into pegs they don't fit. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThis is a strong piece about the value of AR. Now go forth and share, with maybe data from the intermediate and middle school students....or maybe even do an Argument essay with some of the students at your school. xo
ReplyDeleteWe just had a conversation about AR at school today. I was quiet as I don't like AR. Leigh Anne posted on her blog similar questions are few days ago. Here is the link to her post: http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2014/03/solsc-4-false-sense-of-security.html
ReplyDeleteI personally want more choices for my students. Freedom to read!
Here's my view on AR. Just sharing. http://teachfromtheheart.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/dear-google-you-should-have-talked-to-me-first/
ReplyDeleteAnd I love this post from Lisa Van Gemert http://www.giftedguru.com/3-reasons-i-loathe-accelerated-reader/