Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Oh Dottie..STAR Accelerated Reader

So how are the ranges determined? I don't have GS9's report in front of me but I was wondering how they determined a lower score on the ZPD(?). The reason I ask, GS9's range is well above his grade level so most of the books other kids in his class are reading are not included in his level, so he's not supposed to read those for points.

He didn't ceiling the test but his lower range is above his actual grade level. This year we got another paper associated with the STAR report. On it is a chart with the ZPD ranges in the left hand column, and columns for how many points the child should set as a goal for the nine weeks reading either 30 or 60 minutes/day.
Instead of highlighting the row that was closest to his ZPD, the teacher highlighted a row 2 lines before his level. I'm not sure if it was accidental, if the teacher can't read a chart, if she didn't believe the results, but now I'm inclined to think she had a reason. It did allow all those fun books to be included towards his point goal. He'll typically be reading a longer/harder book and then pick up a 'Bionicle' or similar book at school, finishing it in one day when he feels like fun reading. I tried to discourage him from doing that last year(reading 2 books concurrently) but it didn't affect his scores so I don't try to stop him.
I did pick out a book for him within his STAR ZPD results, but above the 'goal level' the teacher highlighted and the teacher allowed those points. So, I am more inclined to think the teacher highlighted a lower goal to include those fun books for credit. I get the idea from talking to his friends moms that I'm more involved with picking out his reading material than most parents.

That's the chart! This is the first year I've seen that chart. Before, the teacher kept it at school, I guess. GS9's ZPD was 4.4-7.4, although he tested higher in the spring. But the teacher set his goals for the 4.2-6.5 range. Anyway, I noticed the upper limit of the ZPD at that point still jumped .5 points but the lower limit only climbed .1 points for each grade level jump at that point. So, I guess that's AR's way of using 'common sense' to count those easy reads towards the point goal?