ZPD stands for "Zone of Proximal Development."  Basically, your child’s ZPD range is his or her suggested book level range from which he or she should be reading. 

Each student’s ZPD range has been determined by his or her reading comprehension score from the ITBS test he took in April 2008.  For example, if your child scored a 7.2 (grade 7, 2^nd month) on the Reading Comprehension section of his test, his ZPD range is 4.4 – 7.5.  Books at the lower end of his range will be books that he would find easier and more comfortable reading.  Books at the upper end of his range will be more challenging.  It is important to encourage reading at both ends of your child’s range.  While it might be tempting to encourage reading only at the highest level, it is important to remember that reading should be fun!  If a child is consistently reading books that he finds most challenging, will reading be a pleasant experience?  At the same time, if a child only reads books at the lower end of his range because it’s easy and comfortable, will he be exposed to new styles of writing and vocabulary?  Keeping all of this in mind, reading several books throughout a ZPD range will strengthen a student’s reading skills and also promote reading for pleasure. 

The AR program meets each student’s reading skills at the exact level he or she is currently reading.  Just as each child will develop physically and socially at different rates, his or her reading skills will also develop at different rates.   For example, not every student in the 5^th grade will be reading 5.0 books.  Some will be reading below grade level, some will be reading right at grade level, and some will be reading above.  With the AR reading program, every student will be encouraged and challenged at the appropriate level for him or her.  In most cases, when a child increases his practiced reading time, over time, his reading level will also increase.  The goal of AR and First Lutheran Church and School is to increase every student’s reading skills and also to promote a love of reading. 

Every AR book your child reads is worth a certain number of points.  Typically, the higher the book reading level and the longer the book, the higher the "points" will be.  Most AR books in the FLCS library and in your child’s homeroom class have been labeled with the book level and point value.  (Currently, volunteers are diligently working to label all AR books in the school library.  Thanks to those who are helping us!  What if your child wants to read a book and he’s not sure if it’s an AR book?  By logging onto www.arbookfind.com, not only can he find out if his book is an AR book, but he can also see what the book’s point value and reading level is.  FLCS has purchased access to the complete library of AR tests.  Most books your child will be interested in reading will be included in the AR program.  If the test comes up, then your child will have access to that test.)  Going back to point goals, students with higher ZPD ranges will have higher point goals.  Three factors are considered when determining your child’s point goal.  First, we look at your child’s ZPD range; then we decide on the amount of silent, sustained reading each child will be given at school each day (we have set 30 minutes of reading per day as our goal); and finally we determine what the time period will be for each student to reach their goal.  (We have based all goals on a 9-week time period.)  Your child will earn "points" toward his goal by reading books and then passing the AR tests with an 85% or higher.  100% on a test will result in the student receiving 100% of the points possible for that book; 95% will result in receiving a fewer amount of points; and so on.  (It is possible for a child to take a test and receive no points.  Receiving no points would be a direct result of a low test grade.)  Your child’s goal, which has been based on the above factors, will be different from many others in his class.  Remember, AR is an individualized reading program.  For example, it would not be fair or desirable for every student in the 2^nd grade to have the same point goal.  Once your child reaches his goal, he or she will be rewarded with individual and group incentives.  Individual incentives will include "book bucks" that can be spent in the AR bookstore.  Examples of group incentives may include an elementary school ice cream party or a middle school pizza party. 

Once a child chooses a book in his or her ZPD range, he or she will be encouraged to read every day.  In both the elementary and middle schools, FLCS has blocked 30 minutes of each school day for D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything And Read!)  Once a student finishes his or her book, he or she will take a computerized test.  Students may take tests during D.E.A.R. time or whenever time allows throughout the day.  The student will take the test and wait for his test results.  He will then print a TOPS report which he will then show to his teacher or aid.  The teacher and student will discuss the test results, review the TOPS report to make sure the student is meeting his reading level and point goals, and then discuss the next book to read.

The TOPS report consists of two items.  First, it shows information about the book on which the student has tested (book level, points, etc.) and also the student’s test results on the book.  As recommended by AR, FLCS has set a goal of 85% or higher on all tests taken.  Secondly, the TOPS report summarizes the student’s progress for the selected time period (9-weeks).  The TOPS report shows if the student is reading within his ZPD range; it shows if the student is on track in meeting his point goal; and it shows if the student is averaging 85% or higher on all tests taken within the 9-week period.

Students will only have one opportunity to pass a test; so no, students will not be able to re-take tests.  Many students have asked to read a book they have already read.  While no one wants to tell a student that he or she may not read a certain book, the goal of AR is to broaden each student’s reading experiences and increase his or her reading level.  Since students may only take one test per book, it would not be beneficial to read the same book several times.  Even though the student is reading, he won’t be able to earn points towards his point goal.  A suggestion is to allow students to re-read a book only when he or she has met his or her point goal for the 9-weeks.

Will my child receive points if he/she does not make 100% on the quiz?

While it is impossible to answer all questions you may have about Accelerated Reader in this short format, we hope that we have answered some of the basic questions you might have.  As always, if you have more questions about the program or your child’s progress, please ask his or her teacher!