AR Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a commercial product that schools buy to encourage reading. Students read books at their reading level on the AR list, take computerized quizzes at school, and earn points for reading.
2. How many points is a book worth?
Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a percentage of these points based on the number of correct answers they get on the computerized quiz.
3. How are children assigned AR reading levels?
At school, your child takes a STAR test that assesses your child’s independent reading level. This test is usually taken at the beginning and the end of the school year. Teachers may opt to give the test more frequently.
4. What are AR reading levels?
At school, each child is assigned a reading zone, based on the child’s test results. For example, if your child’s assigned reading zone is 4.0 – 4.4, you will search for books that have a reading level of 4.0 – 4.4. Books have specific reading levels, children have reading zones.
5. How do I find out what my child’s reading zone is?
Your child’s teacher can tell you your child’s reading zone.
6. Who participates in AR?
Students at all grade levels participate. The Lee County School District purchased the “universal” list in 2009, allowing kids to test on a wider variety of books. Not all private schools in the area participate in AR or subscribe to the “universal” list.
7. Where do children take the AR quizzes?
Children take the quizzes at school. AR tests can only be taken at school.
8. How can I get a list of books on my child’s reading level?
If you attend a Lee County public school or a private school subscribing to the universal list, you can access the list of AR books at www.arbookfind.com or www.renlearn.com. Your public library may have a printed copy of the AR list for your school.
9. How do I find AR books at the public library?
All of the books in the library system are listed in the computer catalog. You can check the AR list from your child’s school or the AR Bookfind sites - www.arbookfind.com or www.renlearn.com - against the library system’s computer catalog. The public library may have a printed AR list for your child’s school.
10. What if my public library doesn’t have a printed AR list for my school?
Check with staff at your public library about getting a list. If the library has the list, it will be available to the public.
11. What is the color chart? (i.e. What does it mean when my child says she needs “purple” books?)
The color chart is a way for children to find AR books on their level at their school libraries. Each color corresponds to a certain range of levels. The books at your child’s school library will probably be marked with AR colors. Color charts may vary from school to school. However, books at the public library are not marked with the AR colors.
12. I have a list of AR books my child wants to read. How do I find them at the public library?
You can look for the books by author or title in the public library’s computer catalog.
13. I found this book on the shelf at my public library. How do I know if it’s on my school’s AR list?
You can check on the arbookfind.com website. If you’ve downloaded the toolbar on our AR site, the ISBN number associated with the book will be clickable and the library’s catalog search bar will appear as a toolbar on your browser. Simply enter the title to see if we have the AR title.
14. How do I find my school’s website?
Go to www.lee.k12.fl.us and click on “schools” in the left hand column. Then select the level of school – elementary, middle, high – then click on the name of your child’s school.