Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Accelerated Reader programme

35 replies

greyinganddecaying · 01/10/2022 13:35

Anyone else's school use the Accelerated Reader scheme?

My son has just started year 7, enjoys reading, got "exceeding" (or whatever it's called) in SATS for reading.

He's been put at a reading level for 8-10yo, despite having read a lot of these books in y2. He's also read a lot of the books in the higher age bracket (10-12yo) a couple of years ago.

School have given us very little information about the programme and he's now really demotivated as the books he's being told to read are too easy/boring for him.

I've told him to speak to his teacher, and if necessary I'll contact them too (but trying to encourage him to manage this himself as much as he can).

Does anyone have any information on this reading programme so I can find out a bit more about it?

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 01/10/2022 15:28

What exactly were you told? That he has a reading age of an 8-10 year old? You are usually give a range of books to choose from, say 3.5-6, and this is based on his zpd score.

Original poster
greyinganddecaying · 01/10/2022 15:21

3WildOnes · 01/10/2022 15:16

What was his zpd score?
He should be assessed every half term so if he just had a bad day it should rectify soon.

We haven't been told his score - or anything other than this is the reading programme they're using.

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 01/10/2022 15:18

SweetsAndChocolates · 01/10/2022 14:03

I believe my DS did the same quiz (consisting of comprehension?)
I think he was placed in 8.9-12.5 bracket (something along those lines), and was told he can read any of the books available at the school library (but I believe he was shown books he should consider).
I assumed it was just a guide to help show kids which books they should be reading/aiming for?

If they have a higher score like your son they are usually given a wider range of books they can choose from, say 6-12.5 as there aren't actually that many books with a zpd score over 8.

3WildOnes · 01/10/2022 15:16

What was his zpd score?
He should be assessed every half term so if he just had a bad day it should rectify soon.

Original poster
greyinganddecaying · 01/10/2022 14:19

Artesia · 01/10/2022 14:07

Is it definitely the 8-10 bracket, or level 8-10? They aren't the same thing. It's quite hard to work out what the levels equate to, but I think a rule of thumb is it's approx school years, so level 8-10 books would be what they would expect a year 8-10 child to read.

I looked up the books he'd been given and they gave the age range of 8-10years. Plus he'd read them back in y2.

OP posts:
Original poster
greyinganddecaying · 01/10/2022 14:07

Thanks!
Is there any information on the reading levels online anywhere? My cynical side wonders if they put kids at a lower level, just to show they've improved later Confused. There's always the possibility that he messed up the test though...

OP posts:
Artesia · 01/10/2022 14:07

Is it definitely the 8-10 bracket, or level 8-10? They aren't the same thing. It's quite hard to work out what the levels equate to, but I think a rule of thumb is it's approx school years, so level 8-10 books would be what they would expect a year 8-10 child to read.

AntlerRose · 01/10/2022 14:05

Sorry my post wasnt that clear. I think there is an initial quiz. But tgey sit a quiz at the end of every book they read too.

SweetsAndChocolates · 01/10/2022 14:03

I believe my DS did the same quiz (consisting of comprehension?)
I think he was placed in 8.9-12.5 bracket (something along those lines), and was told he can read any of the books available at the school library (but I believe he was shown books he should consider).
I assumed it was just a guide to help show kids which books they should be reading/aiming for?

AntlerRose · 01/10/2022 13:46

My sons school do this scheme. They have to do quizzes at the end which test their comprehension and vocabulary. I cant rememember if it /the teacher suggested the next book. I seem to think my son could pick any book even if the quiz showed he hadnt understood it.