Purpose of the program

Search for titles of Accelerated Reader quizzes.

Accelerated Reader is a program to motivate all readers to read more and to develop an appreciation for reading as a leisure activity.  Research shows that reading more leads to reading better.  The program allows students to select their own reading material, with periodic nudges from teachers into different types and levels of material.  We hope students will discover authors and genres that they enjoy, and that, over time, their tastes will evolve and mature. 

Description of the program

Students  read an Accelerated Reader book, and when they are finished they ask to take a test.  The tests for these books, over five thousand titles at our school, are accessed through any school computer.  They are multiple choice  tests of about 10 items, shorter for short books, longer for long books.  After students complete tests they are informed about how they did, what items they got wrong, and how many points they have earned.  The computer system keeps track of all earned points. They may read books for which we have no tests, write a summary, and ask for points to be awarded for the summaries.   Each team decides the appropriate times for reading during the week.


Parent involvement in the Accelerated Reader program

With every report card, parents will receive a printed report of the titles, readability, test scores, points earned, and fiction/non-fiction designation of all the Accelerated Reader tests that their children have taken.  Please read this warning about the book level designations given on those reports.

Use those reports, much as the teacher does, to praise accomplishments, and nudge students to try new types of material.   

Ask your child about what books he is reading.  Ask what happens in the books, who his favorite characters are, and why.  Find out who his current favorite author is.  Read your child’s favorite books!  You will be surprised what a rewarding experience this is.  There are some very meaningful and well written books for middle-schoolers, that will give you much to think and talk about.