THE READ ON, SONOMA EFFECT
- We nearly doubled the number of students we serve — to 3,352 readers across 12 schools.
- Read On Sonoma students are reading books more than a full grade above the national average at every grade — and passing the comprehension quizzes to prove they understand them.
- 76% of ROS students met their personal reading goals.
- At our established schools, books read grew about 22% over last year.
- Together, our readers finished more than 152,000 books and over 1.1 billion words this year.
- Reading confidence climbed more than 12 points — in just 6 months, from fall to spring.
Students
Students in grades 2-6 at our twelve schools participate in the "Read On, Sonoma!" challenge. Students are assigned a “goal” each trimester. The goal is set through the results on their STAR diagnostic assessment. Each time a student reads a book or article, they complete a quiz on comprehension and receive a score. Scores are recorded and tracked through the Accelerated Reader Program (AR).
Students must maintain an average score of 85% and meet their assigned goal to receive Literacy Points.
The AR (Accelerated Reader) Program also tracks how many words students read. At the end of each year (and trimester), we celebrate students who have read a million words or more.
Parents
What is Accelerated Reader?
AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child chooses a book at his/her own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.) AR gives both children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.
Children using AR choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.
How much is my child encouraged to read each day?
According to research, children who read at least 20 minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on AR quizzes see the greatest gains. Therefore, your child should have at least 20 minutes set aside for reading during each school day.
How can I support my child to become a better reader?
As with anything, performance improves with practice. Encourage your child to read at home. Create a culture of reading in your household by reading with your child, starting a home library, visiting your local library or bookstore on a regular basis, letting your child see you reading, and discussing books that each of you has read. When reading with your child, stop and ask questions to be sure your child is comprehending what is read. Reading with your child, no matter what the child’s age, is an important part of developing a good reader. Make learning a family affair, while building a lifelong reader.
What is STAR testing?
STAR Reading is a computerized reading assessment that uses computer-adaptive technology. Questions continually adjust to your child’s responses. If the child’s response is correct, the difficulty level is increased. If the child misses a question, the difficulty level is reduced. The results of your child’s STAR test will determine his/her reading level and determine what level books are a good fit for him/her.