Reading+Programs

A large part of the purpose of the LMC is to promote and foster a love of reading. There are some commercial programs on the market which aim to help promote reading as well as monitor student comprehension levels.

A popular program in Fulton County is Accelerated Reader, a part of Renaissance Learning, Inc. This is a computer-based testing program. Media Centers use local funds or the local PTA to purchase the program (cost center money is not to be used as this is not an official Fulton County-supported program) and batches of AR tests. Printed labels for each AR book list the title, author, grade level, and point value for the book. Students read the books and then take multiple-choice comprehension tests. Depending on their level of success, they earn points toward personal goals. The program gives teachers reports of points earned, average comprehension percentage, and average grade level of books read. Schools have different ways of celebrating or recognizing student achievement in AR. Some ideas are: pizza parties for classes where all students reach their goals, ribbons/plaques/certificates for achievement of points, walls of photos. In many schools, the AR recognition is handled individually by teachers. Installing and monitoring the computer program can be handled by the LMS or the school technology specialist.
 * Accelerated Reader**

This software program is Lexile -based and owned by Scholastic. Students take computer-generated quizzes after reading books. If a student does not pass a quiz, he can revisit the book and retake the quiz with different questions. Students can also use the program to generate reading lists based on their Lexile level and their interests.
 * Reading Counts**

**Lexile**

**Georgia Book Awards**

**Battle of the Books**