This is the second year our campus has used AR as the reading program for 4th-6th grades. Last year I was given a password in case a test had to be stopped. Yesterday a test needed to be stopped, I tried to put in the password, and it wouldn't work. I call the librarian 4 times (we have walkie-talkies) and she didn't answer. So, I walk to the library to find her (and the walkie-talkie turned off). I ask about the password, and she tells me the librarians changed it, because the only reason we had a password is because we didn't have a full time librarian. Now we do. So, I tell her that my computer is usesless until she comes and puts in the password. 25 minutes later she makes it to my room, and rather than just hit escape and put in the password, she shuts down my computer! I was teaching at the moment, but I could tell by all of the pop-up windows with large red exclamation marks on my computer screen that something was wrong. And, does she ask if I had anything open that needed to be saved? No, but if she had I would have said yes. When the computer booted up, I was forced to install "critical updates" and reboot again. UGH! I was livid.
Those of you using AR, are you trusted with a password to stop tests???
I have full access to adjust whatever I want in the program. We use it within each classroom as we see fit since it is not being used in any school wide ways.
Wow, I'm glad that our school shares the passwords. We also have full access to adjust whatever is needed in the program. But I'm also glad that we are no longer required to use AR. I would be so frustrated if our librarian had done that to me. But then again our librarian does not like the AR program...
I'm our middle school's librarian. All teachers who want to know the password have it. I never stop a test or delete a test unless the teacher requests it. I will do it for her, or he/she can do it. I would think the teacher needs the password as much as the librarian because it is the teacher's decision whether to cancel or delete a test-not mine.
We had an AR Nazi a few years ago who was very bad about this; thankfully, she is gone and things have returned to normal. We have the passwords we need to do whatever we need to do!!
I would have jumped her case in front of my class if she came in and rebooted my computer with no forewarning. I would've let her know, I could've done that but I didn't want to lose everything thank you very much!!! The nerve to restart your computer without saying a word to you about it ~ that would be the point of my vent.
Sorry I can share our password with you, but I doubt it would help.
Now that I think about it, we have the version of AR that is web based and gives us access to all the quizzes. If you have that as well, there is a way we can log in and obtain the password. From time to time they change ours and don't tell us, but we've found out how to get it. If you have yours web-based, PM me and I'll get you the steps to see if you can find your school's password.
Yes we are tested with the passwords, it's the same one for the whole building. That's ridiculous - your the teacher, the one responsible for their reading and you should have the ability to allow them to stop a test or delete a test all together if needed!
I know this is unrelated but I am curious. Our librarian lets the kids bring the books with them and look up answers. Doesn't that DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF IT?!!!
Has anyone here taken an AR quiz? I took four of them when it was introduced to our school. I got 80% on three of them (100% on the other). Now, why would that be? Well, one of the tests was on the book, Matilda. It asked something like, "What happened to Miss Honey at the end?" or somesuch. The correct answer, according to AR was that she married Mr. Filby. There is no such person as Mr. Filby in the book, Matilda. The same thing happened with the other three books. I'll not use that program.
Wow, I have never had any problems with A.R. I have taken many quizzes and never came across questions that didn't belong, unless I was in the wrong version of the book.
As for allowing kids to look things up, I have had mixed emotions on this. I came to the conclusion I would allow my students to do this as referring back to text is a skill I teach my students to help with their test-taking skills. If I expect them to do it on their work and tests, then why not in A.R. also?
I have used AR for many years, and I even took the time to go through the certification process to be a trainer so I could learn some "inside" information and train our staff.
The biggest thing that I learned from the whole thing is that schools that are having bad experiences with their AR program are ALWAYS implementing at least part of it incorrectly. I have no idea what makes people think it is OK to make up their own rules for use of the program.
My kids have somehow figured out on their own that if you hit the windows button in the bottom left corner it will go to start and they can get out of it somehow.
No, only our librarian can stop or delete tests. I can print reports & preview quizzes. That's it. But don't forget, I have no control over it, but it counts for half of my students' reading grade.
11-03-2009, 02:25 AM
I can share our password with you, but I doubt it would help.
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