Accelerated Reader (AR) is one tool we use to support children's independent reading. It helps us identify a suitable level of challenge for independent reading and provides some information about a child's understanding of books they have read.

Following an assessment, children receive a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) range. This helps guide their choice of an AR book that offers an appropriate level of challenge without causing unnecessary frustration. After finishing an AR book, children can complete a short quiz to demonstrate their understanding of that particular text.

Quiz results can provide useful information about children's engagement with independent reading and their understanding of individual books. Teachers can use this information alongside other evidence to monitor progress and identify where further support may be helpful.