Reading+Assessments+&+Programs

The name of **Mead Middle School's** reading program is [|//Accelerated Reader//] that was developed by Renaissance Learning. This program has been adopted by 73,000 schools. AR is a successful and popular reading program which does the following:
 * Make essential reading practice more effective for every student.
 * Personalize reading practice to each student’s current level.
 * Manage all reading activities including read to, read with, and independent reading.
 * Assess students’ reading with four types of quizzes: Reading Practice, Vocabulary Practice, Literacy Skills, and Textbook Quizzes.
 * Build a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Research shows that educators using Accelerated Reader and best classroom practices are having a tremendous impact on K-12 students. We have access to over 120,000 AR quizzes through this software program. We can determine the reading level of each student, measure individual and class growth, and forecast results on standardized tests with the accurate, reliable, and efficient assessment students can complete in less than 10 minutes.

In addition to the AR program, we also have the STAR reading program which allows us to:
 * Assess students' reading levels in less than 10 minutes.
 * Receive accurate, reliable, norm-referenced reading scores including grade equivalents, percentile ranks, and normal curve equivalents.
 * Determine the appropriate level of challenge for each student to personalize practice and individualize instruction.
 * Predict results on high-stakes, standardized tests, including ITBS, CAT, SAT, and TerraNova.
 * Save money by administering assessments throughout the school year at no extra cost.
 * Track growth in student reading achievement longitudinally, facilitating the kind of growth analysis recommended by state and federal organizations.

Longs Peak Middle School also uses the Accelerated Reader Program. Each individual student sets a goal to reach in reading. We have 6 week increments of time to reach that goal. For the individual student who reaches their goal, they receive a reward. For the 6 week goal they may get rootbear float at lunch, or a pizza party. For the 12 week goal, we took them to see The Spiderwick Chronicles at the local theatre. These incentives are paid for by the school. We also have Reading Trees displayed in the Library, and each student who reached their goal has a star with their picture on the appropriate tree. We also have grade level competitions, and the winning grade level gets the pizza party. These incentives are hugely successful. The students work very hard to reach their goal, and even the reluctant reader does not want to be left out, so they find books in their reading level and take the tests. If we do not have a particular test for a book a student has read, they can make their own test. The Accelerated Reader Program has helped us in the Library find books for any student, and provide feedback on how well they are reading. We print out reports to each teacher to let them know the number of test their students have taken, and how well they are doing on the tests. We can better help a student find books that they can read, and will read with this program.


 * //Procedures, recordkeeping, and outcomes://**
 * reading programs administration
 * recordkeeping
 * inventories
 * online resources
 * labeling books and print resources
 * plans and outcomes
 * collaboration with teachers