Comments for The Reading Zone

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Jenny Zimmerman

Jenny Zimmerman — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:46:41 +0000

Thank you for writing such a well-nuanced argument against using Accelerated Reader to measure success and growth in our students. It puts unreasonable limits on both students and teachers, stifling growth in a way that violates the spirit of reading and learning. I understand why the different systems for leveling texts exist, but such systems will never truly be able to do the job since they cannot also address such complex ideas as figurative language, multiple points of view, theme. etc.

Comment on Connecting High School and First-year Comp Writing by JudyArzt (@JudyArzt)

JudyArzt (@JudyArzt) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:31:25 +0000

You need to spread the word and go more broadly. It’s great you’re doing this locally, but more of this kind of connecting needs to happen on a national level. Few HS teachers show up at College Composition and Communication Conference, and the reverse is also true fo the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference, though the latter does a better job of getting some college instructors to the conference. As long as the divide in NCTE exists between college and high school, we won’t even be reading the same NCTE journals.

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Mark Steven Isero

Mark Steven Isero — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:50:49 +0000

I have some of the same feelings about Accelerated Reader. I like the online STAR assessment, actually, but not the comprehension quizzes. You’re right that the ATOS level doesn’t feel accurate. And the user interface on the website needs additional work.

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Friday Finds: Stuff I’ve Been Reading Online | the dirigible plum

Friday Finds: Stuff I’ve Been Reading Online | the dirigible plum — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:14:35 +0000

[…] about adolescent literacy in an effort to push its own product. Sarah’s powerful piece at The Reading Zone is a […]

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Friday Reads: “The ‘down-grading’ of American Reading?” by Bufo Calvin | Critical Margins

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:01:24 +0000

[…] The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say (thereadingzone.wordpress.com) […]

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Ms. W

Ms. W — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:22:07 +0000

I am a teacher and I use the AR program (not by choice). However, I do like the program. I think it’s one tool of many to use to encourage independent reading. It’s not perfect but it’s working in my school. My students must read on their individual level tested through the Star test (Ren Learning) and then must obtain the amount of points recommended. I saw huge growth in all my students who kept up with their goals. AR is not to be used for class teaching but rather it’s designed for independent reading.

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by laurakspencer

laurakspencer — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:21:48 +0000

Thank you for so eloquently explaining what I have been feeling for many years. I plan on sharing your article with the site administrators in my district.

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by Glenda Funk

Glenda Funk — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:49:45 +0000

The either/or fallacies really get my goat. Maybe we should remove all the punctuation from all books and see how that impacts the lexile score. It worked for James Joyce!

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by readingtothecore

readingtothecore — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:38:47 +0000

My school doesn’t use AR, but the Lexile leveling system referred to in the CCSS uses a similar quantitative formula for determining a book’s “level.” Teachers are supposed to look at a book’s qualitative features as well, but that takes a lot of time. Teachers have been making smart choices about books to share with their students for years. Let us keep making them!

Comment on The Kids are Still All Right, Despite What Accelerated Reader Might Say by cherie

cherie — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:14:48 +0000

Amen also, I call AR computerized worksheets and refused to use it when it took over our curriculum. I have found that the questions only explore the surface of a book. Deeper meaning and thus rigor is derived from reading a book and really getting all the meaning, symbolism and nuances of a really good read. My students cheer when I tell them I do not do AR.