• I feel like my child can read better than this report indicates. How accurate is it?

I don't mean to imply that the Star Reading Test is worthless. In-fact, the test is usually pretty accurate. However, if you feel like your child can do better than what is shown on the test, you may be right. This is not a one-time test, given at the beginning of the year. We usually give this test between 4 and 5 times a year. I have also given the test to the same child in a 1 to 2 week period because I knew there was a problem with the results.

• My child's ZPD was ##-##. Does this mean they can't read a book lower than this. Does it mean they can't read a book higher than this?

The ZPD is a range of book levels that are used when selecting books to read for Accelerated Reading tests. Often, when a child reads a book that is well above their ZPD there is a tendency for the student to become frustrated while reading. There's a big difference between being able to read a book and being able to read a book with understanding of what you've read. Reading a book that is more difficult or higher than the student's ZPD is ok but, we need make sure they aren't becoming frustrated with it. The problem with books that are well below the student's ZPD is that they are often not challenged by the reading. Most students can read an ABC book with little trouble but, are they gaining anything from reading it?

With that said, I can say this. I have never, and won't, tell a student that they can't read a particular book because it's too easy to read or too difficult to read. One of my main goals as a reading teacher is to give the students a Love for reading. If they enjoy reading a book then I encourage them to read it.

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