Questions Worth Asking about The Accelerated Reader: A Response to Topping

Linda D. Labbo


As with Keith Topping's “Formative Assessment of Reading Comprehension by Computer”, the following hypertext is presented in several sections. Readers may select how to proceed through the commentary. Each webpage includes a link at its conclusion that returns the reader to this map. (Note that references to Topping throughout this response are connected to his commentary by hyperlinks. Clickingon those links will open a new browser window.)

Purpose of This Article
Scenario: A Faculty Meeting Focused on The Acclerated Reader
Four Steps: Description and Notes
Select a Book  |  Read the Book  |  Take the Test  |  Recognition
Questions Teachers Asked about Each Step
Step 1  |  Step 2  |  Step 3  |  Step 4
Five More Questions Worth Asking
Psychometric Properties  |  Zone of Proximal Development  |  Long-Term Effects  |  Classroom Role  |  Computer Use
Concluding Comments  |   References
About the Author
Discussion Forum

Editors' note: This commentary was posted originally in “Critical Issues,” a section of the journal that was discontinued in July 2000. It was linked to Keith Topping's “Formative Assessment of Reading Comprehension by Computer” At the time of posting, readers were invited to comment on the two articles through an online discussion forum, a transcript of which is available at www.readingonline.org/critical/topping/forum.html.



Reading Online, www.readingonline.org
Posted November 1999
© 1999-2000 International Reading Association, Inc. ISSN 1096-1232