Setting Badge and Token Targets for Young Students in the Accelerated Reader Record Book – Accelerated Reader UK

On the Student Targets tab of the Record Book, you can set targets, change targets, and view progress toward targets.

Before you come to this tab for the first time, you will be asked to choose your target model. This version of the Student Targets tab is used when you select the target model for your youngest students; to set targets for other target models, see Setting AR Student Targets for Older Students instead.

The name of the target model for your youngest students varies depending on your location:

UK: Recommended for Years 1-3
Australia: Recommended for Years K-2
Scotland and Northern Ireland: Recommended for Years P2-P4
Republic of Ireland: Recommended for Years SI - 2nd Class

The the badge and token target model is recommended for younger students. When students read books or articles and pass Reading Practice Quizzes or Article Quizzes, they earn tokens and character badges to celebrate their reading. You can select this target model when you first turn on targets; you can also select it in the Reading Targets Model preference for your class. Note: The badge and token target model counts books that are worth 0.5 points, 1 point, and 2 points; books worth more points do not count toward these targets, but they are shown to students.
an example of the badge and token targets page for young students

If you do not want students to take Article Quizzes, you can use the Article Quiz Availability preference to turn off articles and article quizzes for your school.

How to Open the Record Book's Student Targets Tab

Who can do this with default permissions?

School Network Level Administrators, School Level Administrators, Teachers*

*Other users cannot set targets; they can view any targets that have been set, but they cannot change them.

To open the Accelerated Reader Record Book, on the Home page, select Accelerated Reader; then, select Record Book & Targets in the menu.
select Accelerated reader, then Record Book and Targets

You can also select Reports on the Home page and select Accelerated Reader / Reading Practice if a menu opens when you select the tile. Then, on the Accelerated Reader / Reading Practice tab, select AR Record Book & Targets.

When you have opened the Accelerated Reader Record Book, the Student Targets tab is selected by default. If you have selected a different tab, select the Student Targets tab as shown below.
select the Student Targets tab

Selecting the School and Class

At the top of the page, you will see a School drop-down list if you have access to more than one school and a Class drop-down list if you have access to more than one class. Use the drop-down list(s) to select the school and class whose information you want to view. You can view information for one class at a time.
the School and Class drop-down lists

Once you select a school and class, you will see a school year summary for the class as a whole, which includes the overall average book level, the total number of books read, the total number of articles read, the percentage of reading that was non-fiction, and the total number of words read.
example of the School Year Summary

Viewing Targets

Once you have selected the target model for your youngest students, Accelerated Reader starts by setting targets based on the following:

your students' Star Reading test results (if your students took the Star Reading test) or your students' year (if no tests were taken)
the amount of daily reading time (30 minutes by default)
the number of days students are attending during the school year (based on the first and last days for students, which are set up when the administrator adds the school year)

These targets are for the students' entire school year, not individual marking periods.

You will see each student's average percentage correct, the number of quizzes they have passed that apply to the target, and the reading range.
example of the teacher's view of targets for years 1 to 3

For average percentage correct, a green arrow pointing up means the student's average is above 80% (the recommendation), and a red arrow pointing down means the student's average is below 80%.

Under the number of quizzes the student passed, you will see Not Started if the student has not passed any quizzes yet. If the student is passing quizzes at a rate that makes it likely the target will be met, you will see On Track . If the student is not passing quizzes fast enough to meet the target at the current rate, you will see Falling Behind . If the student meets the target exactly, you will see Target Met . If the student passes more quizzes than is required for the target, you will see Target Exceeded . You will also see the percentage of the target that the student has completed; you can compare this percentage to the percentage of the marking period that has passed, which is shown below the "Reading Targets" heading (for badge targets, the marking period is the school year).

Reading ranges encourage students to read within the range of book levels that is set in the Record Book (shown below the status); students see that range on both their Reading/book ideas page and their progress page. The status in the Record Book shows you how much of the student's reading is below, in, and above the expected range.

Message	What It Means
	The student has taken Accelerated Reader quizzes, but no reading range has been set yet. Edit targets to set reading ranges and see progress.
	60% or more of the student's reading has included books and articles with levels that are within the reading range (the percentage is based on points, not number of quizzes passed). The student's average percentage correct is at or above 60%, so the student seems to be comprehending what they read.
	50% or more of the student's reading has included books and articles with levels below the reading range, though the student's average percentage correct is at or above 60%. The student's current reading is not challenging enough based on the range.
	50% or more of the student's reading has included books and articles with levels above the reading range, and the student's average percentage correct is below 60%. The student appears to be reading material that is too challenging.
	This message appears when: 60% or more of the student's reading is within the range, but their average percentage correct is below 60%. You may need to lower the student's reading range. 50% or more of the student's reading is below the range, and their average percentage correct is below 60%. You may need to lower the student's reading range. 50% or more of the student's reading is above the range, and their average percentage correct is above 60%. You may need to increase the student's reading range. All of the student's reading is above the range, or all of it is above and below the range (with no reading within range). In all of these cases, the teacher should review the set reading range to make sure it is appropriate for the student.

Average percentage correct and reading range targets include all books/articles the student has taken Reading Practice or Article Quizzes for, regardless of whether they count toward the student's Quizzes Taken targets. The point levels that count toward the target depend on the student's ZPD; see the Target-Setting Chart for Emerging Readers for details. Books worth more than 2 points do not count toward badge targets.

You can sort the students by name, average percentage correct, or quizzes passed by selecting one of the headings.
the column headings

Editing Targets

To change targets for students in your class, select Edit Targets. You can then choose settings for individual students or all students at once.
the Edit Targets button

Editing Targets for Individual Students

If you you want to edit targets of individual students, do the following:

To change the reading range for a student, click in the fields and change the numbers. If no ranges have been added, select Add under the heading; then, enter the range. For ATOS book levels, you can enter whole numbers or numbers with one decimal place (such as "1" or "1.4"). For Lexile® measures, enter whole numbers for the target (omit the "L") or "BR" for all BR levels. Below the fields, if the student has passed quizzes during the target time period, you will see the student's actual average book levels, and if the student has taken a Star test, you will see the student's Zone of Proximal Development and the test date.
If you want to change the target for the number of quizzes passed, select Target Calculator under the student's name.
In the Target Calculator, use the Daily Reading Time drop-down list to choose the number of minutes you expect this student to read every day: 15, 20, 30 (recommended), 35, 45, or 60 minutes. This affects the number of quizzes the student can be expected to pass; more reading should lead to the student passing more quizzes.
If the student has taken more than one Star Reading test this school year, use the Baseline Test drop-down list to choose which reading range to base the student's targets on; the ranges may be shown as Zones of Proximal Development or Lexile® ranges. The ranges shown are based on the student's test scores; you will also see the test date next to each range. Note: If the student took multiple tests on the same day, only the latest test for that date will be shown in the drop-down list.

If the student has not taken a Star Reading test, select the student's reading age in years; then, select months when the second drop-down list appears.
Use the Reading Range drop-down list to choose the type of target that you want to set: Full ZPD (based on the baseline test or the reading age), Moderate (the lower end of the student's Zone of Proximal Development or Lexile® range), or Ambitious (the upper end of the student's ZPD or Lexile® range). Students will see their reading range on on their Accelerated Reader Reading/book ideas page and on their progress page.

If you want to update the target for the number of quizzes passed based on the new selections, tick Update Quiz Target. (If the student does not have a Star test, the tick box is under the daily reading time, and the update is based on daily reading time and reading age.)
When you have finished choosing the target options, select Apply. The student's targets will be updated based on your selections, and you can make adjustments if necessary. (If you decide not to use the Target Calculator once you have opened it, click outside the window to close it.)

Editing Targets for Multiple Students

If you want to choose target settings for multiple students, use the drop-down lists at the top of the page.
the drop-down lists with target options for multiple students

Follow these steps:

First, click the Select Students drop-down list. When the list opens, tick the students whose targets you want to change, or click Select All to tick all of the students. When you have finished, click out of the drop-down list to close it.
If students have taken Star Reading tests, use the Star Reading Range For drop-down list to choose which Star test score to use for targets. The score that you select determines the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) or Lexile® Range for each student. You can choose the first test each student took this school year, the latest test (recommended), each student's best test score, or the Star Reading test that is already selected for each of the students. If some of your students have not taken Star Reading tests, their years will be used instead to determine the ZPD or Lexile® Range. Note: This drop-down list is not available if none of the students in the class have taken Star Reading tests.
Use the Daily Reading Time setting to choose the amount of reading that you expect students to do each day (15, 20, 30, 35, 45, or 60 minutes). This helps to determine how many quizzes the students can be expected to pass.
If you chose to use reading ranges when you selected the target model, you can use the Reading Range drop-down list to choose whether to set each student's reading range as their full Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) or Lexile® Range, the lower portion only (Moderate), or the upper portion only (Ambitious).
After making your selections, select Generate New Targets.
In the message that opens, select Yes, update selected students if you want to continue and update the students' targets, or No, do not update if you decide not to continue.
Review each student's targets and make adjustments if necessary. When you are ready to save targets and leave the page, select Save Targets. (If you decide not to save your changes, select Cancel Edit; then, select Delete Changes to confirm that you want to leave editing without saving your changes.)

If you do not set targets for your students, when students view their progress, they will see default badge targets based on their latest Star score (or year if no Star test is available) and 30 minutes of daily reading.

Changing the Target Model for the Class

Generally, it is best to choose a target model at the beginning of the school year and then continue with that target model to avoid changing how students see their targets. However, if you find that another model would work better for your students, or if you want to change a model as students begin targets for a new marking period, follow these steps:

Select Edit Targets.
Select Change Target Model. Note: If this option is not available, you do not have the user permissions required to change the target model.
On the Edit Target Theme page, choose the target model that you want to use for the class. Note that the names of the models vary depending on your location; the example below shows UK target model names.

More about the target models available

There are three target models available; the model names are based on the ages/years of your students.

Recommended for Years 1-3 (UK), Years K-2 (Australia), Years P2-P4 (Scotland and Northern Ireland), or Years SI - 2nd Class (Republic of Ireland)

This is an engaging target model for the youngest students. Students earn tokens when they pass quizzes, and those tokens count toward character badges. Teachers select the student Star test scores (or reading ages) to base targets on; then, they set the expected amount of daily reading time. Based on these selections, the software calculates each student's target for passed quizzes for the students' entire school year (not individual marking periods). Targets are based on the number of tokens required for each badge because students see the targets in terms of how many badges they need to earn.
example of year 1 to 3 targets as teachers see them
example of a student's view of tokens, badges, and targets

Recommended for Years 4-6 (UK), Years 3-5 (Australia), Years P5-P7 (Scotland and Northern Ireland), or Years 3rd Class - 5th Class (Republic of Ireland)

In this target model, teachers set targets for students' average percentage correct, points earned, and reading range; these targets are selected for specific marking periods. When students view their progress, their points earned are represented by a rocket traveling toward a planet, and students can see how close they are to the target, how much time is left, and whether they are on track to meet their target. A gauge shows students whether they are meeting their average percentage correct target; a message tells the student more about how their book selection matches the reading range. Students can also see information about their reading, including the number of quizzes they have passed, the number of words they have read, and the percentage of fiction and non-fiction they have read. Below that, students can see their Star Reading and Star Maths scores if they have scores from the selected marking period. A Marking Period drop-down list lets students see whether they met past targets.
example of year 4 to 6 targets as teachers see them
example of a student's progress, including the rocket

Recommended for Years 7+ (UK), Years 6+ (Australia), Years S1+ (Scotland and Northern Ireland), or Years 6th Class+ (Republic of Ireland)

This target model is similar to the previous model, but using images that are suitable for older students. As in that model, teachers set marking period targets for students' average percentage correct, points earned, and reading range. Students see all the same information; however, instead of a rocket, students are shown their points progress on a bar graph.
example of year 7 plus targets as teachers see them
example of student progress for years 7 and up

Select Save Changes. In the message that opens, select Yes, Change Theme if you want to to continue and change the theme, or select No, Go Back if you want to make a different selection. (If you decide not to change the target model at all, select Cancel on the Edit Target Theme page.)

What Students See When They View Progress

When you use the target model with badges and tokens, students do not see their targets the same way that you do.

For each Reading Practice Quiz or Article Quiz that a student passes, the student receives a token. The token looks like a star the star token if they get some questions wrong or a trophy the trophy token if they answer all of the questions correctly. The software will tell the student about the new token when the student chooses to view progress after taking a quiz.
an example of the new token message

On the student's Progress tab, the tokens fill up the circles for a character badge. When the student starts working on a badge, the student sees the outline of the character, how many tokens have been filled in so far, and how many the student needs to fill in to finish the badge.

an example of the targets page with some tokens and one badge

By selecting a badge, the student can see the books that counted toward that badge.
example of the window with the books read toward a badge

In the example above, the student has passed enough Reading Practice and Article Quizzes to finish one badge (Hardey). The student is working on the second badge, which shows the outline of a mole. By selecting that badge, the student can see that their quizzes on two books count toward the second badge. The student needs to pass four more quizzes to earn that badge.

When the student has passed enough quizzes for the badge, the next time the student chooses to see their progress, the student will see an animation as the character is revealed. In the example below, the student has passed more quizzes and can now see the second character, Mosey.
an example with two badges earned

Students see their target in the top right corner of the area that applies. Targets are expressed as the number of badges to earn. In the examples above, the student needs to earn 8 badges during the school year.

The number of points that a book is worth determines which set of badges a book counts toward:

Greenwood Glen is for 0.5-point books. In this area, 6 tokens are required to earn each badge.
Timber Park is for 1-point books. In this area, 3 tokens are required to earn each badge.
Pinnacle Peak is for 2-point books. In this area, 2 tokens are required to earn each badge.
Boundary Wilds is for books that do not apply to the target; it gives students a way to see the quizzes they passed for those books. These books may be worth more than 2 points, or they may simply have a point value that does not apply to the target. For example, if a student takes a quiz on a 2-point book, but the student's target is for 0.5-point books and 1-point books, the book will be shown in Boundary Wilds.

The target areas that are shown to the student depend on the student's Star score or year, and the targets themselves are based on that information plus the amount of daily reading practice that you select for the student. For more detailed information about the targets that are set based on Star scores and daily reading practice, see the Target-Setting Chart for Emerging Readers.

If you are using reading ranges, students also see the best book levels to choose from.
an example of the student's reading range

Viewing One Student's Details

For more information about one student's work, select the student's name.
a student's name being selected

Viewing Students' Quizzes

To see the quizzes your students have taken, select the Latest Quiz tab.
the Latest Quiz tab