Staff Writer

Payton Tracy

In December of 2011 Zebulon Middle School adopted the Accelerated Reader program to help improve students reading skills.

The AR program allows students to choose books from their school library that contain a special white sticker on the inside back cover.

“I remember doing AR in elementary school. It was annoying because teachers would always yell at you to do it,” Grace Barnhill, seventh grade student, said.

After reading the book, students take an online test to determine their comprehension of the text. The online test includes as many as 20 questions.

“I think the program was a good idea,” Aiden Kneer, sixth grade student, said.

If students pass a certain amount of tests, they receive a corresponding prize from the Tickets to Reading program. The prizes include a bracelet, water bottle, bag, watch, medal, and a ball and hoop.

“I want to read books so I can get all of the prizes,” Kneer said.

The prizes don’t appeal to everyone.

“The prizes could be a little better. Something more intriguing,” Courtney Ray, seventh grade student, said.

Another down side to the program is the amount of books required to read for the prizes. TO get the first prize, students must not only read two books, but also pass both of the tests.

“We have to read multiple books for just one prize, it’s not fair,” Drew Perry, seventh grade student, said.

David Frenck, assistant principal, has good reasoning for this.

“We want students to see how much fun reading really is. I know it will help improve their reading skills in the long run, even though the scores haven’t yet shown this,” Frenck explained.

ZMS is likely to have this program for as long as time will allow. Students think it is a good idea and will help encourage others to read. Teachers hope test scores prove these predictions correct in the near future as EOG’s approach rapidly.