Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I’ve read the book to my child?

They can still take a quiz – they just need to select ‘I was read to’ when they login.

What if some of it has been read independently and some of it has been read by an adult?

Again, there is a ‘We read together’ option when they login to take the test.

What if my child can’t find a book in their range?

Any member of staff will be happy to help find a suitable book for your child. Please just let one of us know.

What if my child wants to read books that aren’t on AR?

That’s perfectly fine! We may encourage them to read one that is on there every now and then to monitor understanding, but we will be happy to help them find one on there that they like.

What if my child always reads books outside of their zpd range?

Teachers monitor the level of books that the children are reading. If they can see that your child is finding the books difficult to comprehend or finding them too easy, they will either make suggestions of more appropriate texts to read independently and suggest reading the more challenging books with an adult, or suggest more challenging books to alternate the ‘easier’ ones with.

I can’t find my child’s zpd range

Please ask your child’s teacher to retrieve this for you.

I think that my child’s zpd range may be too low/high.

Your child’s zpd range is determined by their STAR reader test. If teachers can see that the child is struggling with their quizzes or finding them too easy, they may ask your child to complete another STAR test. It is very normal for zpd ranges to fluctuate.

How do I sign up to receive the quiz results?

Use the leaflet sent home with your child to access their Accelerated Reader information in Renaissance Home Connect® from a computer with web access. Once in the program, you can view your child’s progress toward goals, points, and books read to monitor your child’s success. You can also access Accelerated Reader Bookfinder to search for titles of interest. You can only access information about your child. If you require further help, after logging in, click the help button in the upper right-hand corner.

How do I suggest a book quiz?

Accelerated Reader Quiz Suggestions | Renaissance Learning % (renlearn.co.uk)

When does my child take the book quiz?

Your child’s teacher will make time in the school day for your child to take their quiz. They must remember to let their teacher know that they need to take a quiz. We make sure that children with SEND receive support accessing the quizzes when appropriate; for example, there are times when a teacher or TA will read the quiz questions to a child and discuss their responses before submitting a response. 

What is the difference between a STAR test and a book quiz?

A STAR test determines your child’s zpd level and a book quiz checks your child’s understanding of a certain book that they have read.

Does my child need to ask to take a quiz?

Your child can let their class teacher know in the morning if they have a quiz to take. The teacher will then allocate some time for this at some point during the day.

How much should my child be reading each day?

According to research, children who read at least thirty-five minutes a day with a 90% comprehension rate (average percent correct) on Accelerated Reader quizzes see the greatest gains. Therefore, your child should have at least thirty-five minutes set aside for reading during each day. Don’t forget that when they are reading a text and following along with you, that this still counts!

How can I help to improve my child’s reading?

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. Reading with your child, no matter what the child’s age, is an important part of developing a good reader, building a lifelong love of reading and learning, and creating a loving relationship between you and your child. Make learning a family affair! Create a buzz about reading. Can your child summarise their recent book to a family member, re-tell it to a teddy, or create an illustration representing the part that gripped, entertained or excited them the most? Weave book conversations into everyday chats: “Oh, that’s something Alex would do, isn’t it?” Talk about what you are reading – magazines, books for your studies, newspapers on your phone – being a role model really counts.

What is a STAR Reader test?

Star Reading is a computerised 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 test uses multiple-choice questions and takes approximately fifteen minutes.

How will I know if a book is on AR?

You can visit the Accelerated Reader Bookfinder™ at www.arbookfind.co.uk to conduct a search of all available books with Accelerated Reader quizzes.

What is a zpd level?

In independent literature-based reading, ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Your child will receive a ZPD range after taking a Star Reading test, or teachers and librarians can use their best professional judgment to determine a ZPD. The ZPD score from the Star Reading test will show up in Accelerated Reader, making it easier for teachers to set goals for students. It’s important for children to read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPDs. ZPDs should be adjusted based on the needs of your child.