Accelerated Reader at Dolvin…

Accelerated Reader (AR) was developed in 1986 by Advantage Learning Systems, Inc. and is currently used at Dolvin Elementary and 60,000 other schools across the nation. This program provides a fun and exciting way to promote reading at home and at school. It is a computer-based reading program focused on increasing reading comprehension. Increased reading comprehension improves math and critical thinking skills.

At Dolvin, the AR Program works as like this:

The student selects a book, according to reading level, from the AR list of quizzes. The lists are available in the Dolvin Media Center, Spruill Oaks public library and on the link on this web site. The AR books in Dolvin’s Media Center are easily identified by an orange dot. Each AR book in our Media Center is labeled, on the back of the book, with the reading level and AR point level.

All students are encouraged to read books within their ZPD level.

Upon completion of a book read independently, the student takes a computerized reading comprehension test. Students in grades 2-5 take AR quizzes INDEPENDENTLY in the Computer Lab, Room 201, in their classroom or in the Media Center. Students in grade 1 take quizzes in their own classroom with teacher and parent monitoring. A first grade student, who is able to independently take an AR test, will take the AR test in his/her own classroom, the Media Center or the Computer Labs. Students in kindergarten will take AR quizzes with the aid of a parent volunteer beginning in November. If a kindergarten student reads a book at home, please complete the "I'm ready to Take a Quiz" form, return it to the kindergarten teacher and the student will be tested. AT ALL GRADE LEVELS AR TESTING WILL BE COMPLETED WITH TEACHER MONITORING.

Once the quiz is complete, points are calculated on the computer for each correct answer per passed quiz. You must score 60% or greater to pass an A/R quiz. No points are given for quizzes with less than 60% correct.

Research reveals that maximum growth in student performance is achieved when reading is combined with reading incentives. At Dolvin, our incentives include special recognition at AR Assemblies, Individual Awards and Class Awards.

Three times a year there are assemblies for the children to receive awards and to be honored for their achievements. If your child is receiving an award at an assembly, you will be notified via a note with the assembly date and time.

Through the AR Program we hope our students will achieve maximum reading growth and the love of reading. Let’s all work together and show our children that reading is fun!