Ensuring students are successfully engaged with reading materials requires guidance and continuous monitoring from educators. Matching reading materials to students is a 4-step process: 1) estimate text readability; 2) measure student reading ability; 3) determine the appropriate reading range for independent reading and; 4) continuously monitor comprehension and adjust book levels and genre. Accelerated Reader provides educators with research-based tools to help with this process: ATOS, a highly accurate measure of text readability specifically designed for books, combined with the Goal-Setting Chart, creates an open system that provides educators with the tools for matching books to students. The Goal-Setting Chart links a grade-equivalent measure of student reading ability from any norm-referenced reading test to the appropriate reading ranges. Best classroom practices for continuous monitoring using Accelerated Reader help teachers ensure that students are reading books with a high level of success and comprehension. Each step and the appropriate tools are described in detail. Comparisons to other readability systems, including Lexile, are highlighted.

The full report is available online.

Publication Date: 08/01/2000

Updated: 06/02/2011

Literature Number: L2236