[MOSAIC] AR

[Bonita]

> I have used the STAR test to give me a jumping off point for further reading 
> assessment  (such as QRI) but I would never never never use AR in my 
> classroom.  One woman's opinion, Gina

Ditto my own experience, Gina. Helped to get AR going at my school--hated it once it was up and running.  Students found very creative ways to cheat; students read down the points list and selected books using points as a method; students failed the quizzes that could talk pretty deeply about their learning from the book; students passed the quizzes that could tell me nothing.  AR books were specially marked in our library as if AR was better than Caldecott or Newberry for predicting book quality. I decided my own judgment, though faulty at times, was more consistent than AR. I am sure there are teachers that make good use of the program and find creative ways around AR's deficits.  I was not one of those teachers.

:)Bonita
Gr.5 California