Maybe Some Kids Need This Reading Program But Mine Do Not

Me to 12 year old son last week: “Do you want to go to the library for some books?”

Son: “Reading books in the summer is not fun”.

Well. He is an active boy. With more on his mind than reading books. Skateboard magazines--yes. And getting ready to hit the beach again. So his attitude these days could be for these reasons. But I know there’s another reason.

When he started 5^th grade two years ago, his teacher instructed they needed to read certain books and then take computerized tests on them (10 questions) to prove the book was read. This program is called Accelerated Reader—it is expensive and used by over 50,000 schools in the U.S. as a supplementary or primary reading program. Its philosophy is that students are motivated to read more and better books. I say it does not instill a life long love of reading. In fact, it has ruined my son’s enjoyment of reading.

Initially an Accelerated Reader (AR) test is taken to determine a reading level and then based on the results, the student is told what kind of books (designated by a number) s/he should read to be challenged. Savvy students have realized they should not do as well as capable on this initial test—thereby achieving a lower goal of points needed—thereby reaching his or her goal each quarter—thereby “succeeding.” Those who reach their goal are awarded prizes at school such as pizza parties, prizes and award ceremonies. I believe that rewards only affect short term behavior. I say that if a behavior is rewarded, that task was not so desirable. Some teachers get really competitive and many principals are huge fans (the program is expensive, therefore the school system needs to promote it).

So in 5^th grade this rule-follower son began reading the Lemony Snickett books…one..after…the…other..until about book #13. Maybe a few other kinds of books in between. He had read 17 books by January and I was amazed. But it turns out he was really tired of those books and was reading them just because he knew they were his level of AR books. For Christmas gifts he’d received a couple magazine subscriptions and in January was reading them. Plus he read the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid--which was not AR. We've always expressed quite clearly to our sons that we don’t care what you read—just read.

One day I found out that the teacher kept him inside from recess because he wasn’t reading AR books. I was upset and emailed the teacher. She stated that “she hated to punish him” but he didn’t seem to be reading much and had that latest Lemony Snickett book out for weeks and weeks. My son didn’t speak up and tell her or write her exactly what he had been reading. And I wrote to her that I had been amazed at how his appetite for reading was so huge and that he reads every night so I was quite surprised at this situation. She backed off and said she wished she knew some of the details I had provided that he had at least read something.

So then he goes into middle school (6^th grade). We’ve been through this same path with our oldest son, but wanted to tell my middle son’s story because he is the one who was formerly a voracious reader. In 6^th grade reading AR books and achieving the designated number of points from the tests counts as 5% toward the grade. The first week of school a letter is sent home from the Language Arts teacher explaining this and requiring a parent’s signature. Our son had to return the form with my husband’s scrawl, “I am not signing as I don’t believe in AR.” (poor kid!!) Every week when I spend time with each son checking in on what are the class happenings, I reiterate that I do not care what they read—just find something they enjoy reading. They know we parents are tough on them in so many areas but when I/Hubs feel something is not right at school I will back you up.

Last year we found some good books at the public library and they were not AR. But the school’s media specialist had a budget to purchase tests so if the school does not have a test they will order it. My son had to explain to me (with disdain) that any book could be an AR book, as long as there is a test for it. In fact the media specialist at the elem school actually told me that if I had read the book I could write a 10-question test and give it to the teacher and that would work (I swear many teachers actually teach parents to get too involved). I declined.

This past spring in 6^th grade my son had not yet achieved his AR goal for the quarter. Despite the teacher making it perfectly clear about the 5% of the grade, and our position that it is completely up to Middle Son if he wants to read certain books and take the tests--she still got involved. She told my son and a couple others one day that at lunchtime they are to eat in a classroom with her and read. It was one of the few times my son was buying so he had to carry his tray out of the cafeteria and down the hall and into her classroom. BTW it is a "gifted" class. You would think that if a child tested (on all those standardized tests) as in the high percentage of Language Arts that all this extra emphasis on reading books for points would not be necessary.

And it really depends on the teacher. Because of these tests and this reward system I feel many teachers are missing teachable moments. Others take a stand. There is a 5^th grade teacher across the hall from the one my son had—this teacher tells the kids, “There is an AR program and you get points and prizes. If you want to do it, knock yourself out. If not, pick a book and read. And we will have class sets of books to read and discuss together. And I will read a book to you in the afternoon many days.”

And now one more son is being affected. Last year my youngest son was in 3^rd grade. He is not a fan of fiction, unless I am reading with him. But he checks out non-fiction galore. I have read more than I can imagine on WWI and WWII fighter planes. But toward the end of this school year he was in the media center and his teacher told him to go pick out an AR fiction book. He’d never been directed to certain shelves in the library before. He picked out a book. And felt like he had done something wrong. This kid’s thirst for knowledge and grades are top notch. But he felt like he was being corrected.

My boxing gloves are taking a rest right now during the months of June and July but soon they’ll get polished up again.