Does This Book Have AR Points?
By Jimmie Epling
Director
Darlington County Library System
“Does this book have Accelerated Reader points?” Well, actually, when parents and students ask about the points at the Darlington County Library System, they say “AR” points. Why are they asking about AR points now? During the summer months, we have partnered with the Darlington County School District to turn all four library locations: Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar, and Society Hill, into alternative “AR” testing sites for the convenience of parents and students.
If you don’t have a child in school, then you may not know what the AR testing program is all about. The AR testing program is a computerized online system that tests for reading comprehension. Students can select from over 170,000 titles for a book on their reading level, read it, and then take an independent comprehension test through a computer linked to the Internet. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. The program tracks a child’s progress. The District is requiring those children who choose to participate in its “Ready, Set: READ!” summer reading program to earn a set number of AR points to qualify for prizes and be invited to a “Back to School Bash.” Those in Kindergarten K – 2nd grade are to read books worth a total of 3 AR points. Third through fifth grade students must accumulate 6 AR points. The goal for students in grades 6 through 8 is 9 AR points.
Because AR testing program it is so popular, the staff of the Library has identified and labeled most of the books in our collection for which there is an AR quiz. We have even gone as far as including the level and points on the label. Last year, through a generous grant from the Sonoco Foundation, we made a special purchase of several hundred AR books. This year each branch received extra funds to purchase AR books. To help parents and students find books with an AR quiz, we added a special link on our website, www.darlington-lib.org, that will take you to the “AR BookFinder” site where you can search for books based on authors, topics, or titles.
When you visit one of our library locations, you will discover computers dedicated to just AR testing. All you need to take a test is your login information, which this year the Library can provide, and to have read an AR book.
When you visit the Library to take an AR test, we cannot guarantee you will make a perfect score on any AR test (WARNING: Parents and students! The AR system does not allow a “do over.” If you fail to make a perfect score, you are stuck with it.) What we can do is help you find the right book to improve your chances of getting that perfect score.
First, we suggest your child pick an AR book he or she wants to read. AR test taking success depends on a child choosing the right book to read. Our goal is to inspire children to read for the pleasure of reading a good story or to discover the world around them. The Library’s staff will help you pick an AR book that tells a story you will enjoy reading or about a subject in which you might like to know more. A book that engages a child’s interest, curiosity, and imagination will be remembered long after the AR test is but a memory.
Second, we recommend picking an AR book not based on its high point value or grade level. Pick a book on the right reading level for your young test taker. Yes, your young test taker can rack up points fast by taking on Marissa Meyer’s 822 page Lunar Chronicle book “Winter” at 33 points, but keep in mind it is at a sixth grade reading level. This book will be a struggle for a child who is reading at a third grade level. Reading a book can be a life changing experience for a child. A book that is long, with many unknown words, and touches on unfamiliar subjects can quickly leave a child with the impression that reading is a chore and not a pleasure.
Lastly, when a child visits the Library to take an AR test keep in mind success depends on being prepared to take a test. Here are a few pointers that will help a child get that perfect score:
· When a child has finished reading an AR book, take the test as soon as possible. The longer it goes after he or she has finished the book, the more likely something will be forgotten.
· Come rested to take the test. If you are very tired when you take the test, you may be slow to remember something or remember it incorrectly because your mind is too tired.
· Have plenty of time to take the AR test. You are less likely to score well on an AR test if you must take it quickly because you have too little time or you just want to see how fast you can get through it. AR tests are meant to be neither a marathon nor a sprint.
Through our AR testing site partnership and our summer reading programs, the Darlington County Library System and the School District are working together to prevent the “summer slide,” the slipping of a child’s reading skills during their summer vacation. When it comes to reading for AR testing, why shouldn’t it be fun? For children to be successful, they must be able to read. One way we help Darlington County’s children become successful readers is through labeling AR books, putting links on our website, and being test sites.