Dr. K. A. Clark School

Accelerated Reader Program (AR)

  For all students in Grades four through eight we have a computerized reading program called the Accelerated Reader Program. All students are tested at the beginning of the school year to determine their reading level. They then select materials from our library to read. Time is given to the students each day to read their AR books and they are expected to read every evening at home.
    Each Language Arts classroom has an AR computer. Students complete a short multiple-choice test on each book that they have read to determine if they read and understood the book.
    Each book is worth a certain number of points, depending on the length and difficulty of the vocabulary. Students earn points throughout the year and teachers set goals for each student. Students can "spend" their points at an AR store and there are monthly awards for "Reader of the Month" as well as awards for top point earners at the end of each year.
    Teachers, teacher assistants and library staff have noticed an increase in the amount of reading that students are doing since we started the AR Program. Students who read more become better and more fluent readers, gain general knowledge and develop better vocabularies. The AR Program has been a great success at Dr. Clark.