sjkiefer - Overview

Introduction

I will begin my applied project by giving the reader some background information. I will also state the research question, the importance of the study and the context of the study. Next, I will show a graphic representation of the literature I researched. I will also state the lessons I learned from this literature review. Then, I will describe my methodology by explaining what I designed, the participants for the study, the data collection story, the data source and how I analyzed the data. Next, I will present the results of the study with bar graphs representing each question. From there, I will explain and interpret the findings. I will show a conclusion table stating the research question with the answer and links to the evidence. I will also highlight some of things I learned from this applied project. I will also present recommendations and implications for practice. Additionally, I will state the educational significance of the study, my reflection of the study and the overall conclusion. Next, I will present the references. Last, in Appendix A, I will have a table representing the comments made to the open-ended questions. These will be color coded by type of comment given.

The Accelerated Reader (AR) program is a very popular program that is used in many schools across the country. Schools have purchased AR for reasons such as the belief that it contributes to student achievement and it creates positive attitudes toward reading. This study is about one school and the perceptions of their teachers. This school and its media center have spent a lot of money getting AR installed and on the purchase of books and AR tests. A good portion of the media center’s budget is spent on this each year. But, are the teachers utilizing the AR program? Do the teachers perceive AR as contributing to student achievement? Do they think AR creates positive attitudes toward reading? The teacher’s perception of Accelerated Reader is critical. If teacher’s perceptions are negative toward AR, then they are less likely to utilize the program, which means the money spent on AR was not put to its best use.

According to teacher perception, does Accelerated Reader contribute to student achievement and create positive attitudes toward reading?

This study will make a difference by letting one school know if the money they invested in AR was well spent and if they need to continue the investment.

The problem is situated at a school in the suburbs of Atlanta. Accelerated Reader is used as a supplement to the school’s reading program and it is up to the teachers how and how much they use the program. There is controversy at this school because many teachers believe AR is extremely valuable and others do not. The school has spent a significant amount of money getting the program started and a good portion of the media center’s budget is spent on buying new books and AR tests each year. The media specialist is not sure whether to continue investing a portion of her budget on AR books and tests, especially if the teachers do not utilize the program