Accelerated Reader

One tool that we use at Oakland Elementary School to motivate students to read more and better books is the Accelerated Reader program. Students and faculty alike are very excited about this reading enrichment program that combines great children’s literature with a computer. It is an individualized reading program that allows each student to move at his or her own pace and level of ability while motivating him or her to read.

Students choose a book from a list of carefully selected titles. The books are available in the school’s library media center. Many of these books are available at the public library as well, where there is also a copy of our Accelerated Reader list. Each book has been evaluated as to reading level and length. Based on these two factors, each book is assigned a point value. After reading the book, students go to a computer at school to take a quiz that measures comprehension of the book. After taking the quiz, students earn a given number of points based on the point value of the book and their performance on the quiz. The Accelerated Reader program keeps track of each student’s performance and generates a report of reading progress. Goals are set for students, and students receive special rewards when those goals are met. However, parents are key motivators, and as such, they are essential for the success of the program.