Accelerated Reader Program

This computerized reading program was introduced into the school in September 1997. The basic idea of the program is that each child reads a book, within a specified reading level based on test scores, and then takes a computer-quiz on the book. The computer records the quiz results, providing students, teachers, and parents with an accurate record of the students’ performance including their progress towards a trimester goal.

The overall aim of the program to provide enough reading practice to make every child a fluent and successful reader. Because of the demands of the program, substantial annual funding is required to maintain it. Parents have helped considerably with their Christmas donations and we have also received three MBNA grants.

Since the program began, our students have read many more books than before and their annual reading test scores have risen. However, we keep trying to make the program work even better. A few years ago, we started an AR Buddies Club. This involves 6th, 7th and 8th graders volunteering to help 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders who are struggling to pass their quizzes. This has worked well and enabled some students to pass their quizzes for the first time.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

In December 2002, we became participants in a Federal No Child Left Behind Grant in conjunction with the Colonial School District. The grant is based on using the Accelerated Reader Program and adding a writing component to it. Accelerated Reader was chosen as it now has achieved international recognition as an award-winning, research-based program. This year, the grant monies are being used to provide staff development for faculty on how to get the best results from Accelerated Reader. In addition, funds are being used for workshops to assist faculty in teaching writing and integrating technology into the curriculum. This year a consultant is visiting the school two days per month to help faculty members develop lessons using technology and also to work on their web pages

Under the terms of the grant we are required to assess the reading levels of all students in Grades 2 through 5 twice per year and record growth rates using the STAR Assessment, which is a sister product to Accelerated Reader. Also, as the research shows that a student must practice reading for 60 minutes per day to gain above-average growth in reading, we will be requiring our students to read 30 minutes in school each day and 20-30 minutes at home as part of their homework and we ask for parental cooperation with this.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN 2004-5

This year we are planning to give the first grade classes new computers so that we can install some of the Accelerated Reader Read-Aloud Quizzes that are now available. We hope that these will assist some of our first graders who find reading the quiz questions more difficult to read than the books. We have also increased the number and reading-level range of the AR Vocabulary Quizzes we have available and students are able to take more of these.

We have been able to increase our collection of AR books this year through the generosity of Home and School and also parent donations of books their children have outgrown. MBNA have awarded us a grant for a unit on Fairy Tales including money for new fairy tale books. As a result we are expanding our collection and replacing worn out titles in order to keep our students interested and challenged. Our new collection of science books is proving very popular and among the older children the Lemony Snickett books are in constant demand.

801 N. Du Pont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: 302-328-2803
Fax: 302-328-1572
Email: olf@comcast.net