The CARS & STARS program available in both print and online versions provides a comprehensive assessment and instruction tool that aligns closely with the reading comprehension components of the ACARA English standards. Here's how the program demonstrates a student's strengths and weaknesses:
1. Diagnostic Assessment:
- CARS (Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies) provides an initial diagnostic test that assesses students across 12 core reading comprehension strategies.
- These strategies align with ACARA's 'Literacy' general capability and the 'Language' and 'Literature' strands of the English curriculum.
2. Detailed Reporting:
- After the diagnostic test, CARS generates a detailed report showing:
a) Overall reading comprehension level
b) Performance in each of the 12 strategies
c) Comparison to grade-level expectations
b) Performance in each of the 12 strategies
c) Comparison to grade-level expectations
3. ACARA Alignment:
The 12 CARS & STARS strategies map to ACARA standards as follows:
- Finding Main Idea → AC9E7LA01: Analyse how text structures and language features work together in texts to influence audiences and achieve purpose
- Recalling Facts and Details → AC9E7LY02: Use comprehension strategies when listening, viewing, and reading to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information
- Understanding Sequence → AC9E7LA01: Analyse how text structures and language features work together in texts to influence audiences and achieve purpose
- Recognising Cause and Effect → AC9E7LY02: Use comprehension strategies when listening, viewing, and reading to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information
- Comparing and Contrasting → AC9E7LY03: Analyse and evaluate the ways that text structures and language features vary according to the purpose of the text and the ways that referenced sources add authority to a text
- Making Predictions → AC9E7LY02: Use comprehension strategies when listening, viewing, and reading to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information
- Finding Word Meaning in Context → AC9E7LA03: Identify and describe how texts are structured differently depending on their purpose and how language features vary in texts
- Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences → AC9E7LY02: Use comprehension strategies when listening, viewing, and reading to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information
- Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion → AC9E7LY05: Use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring, questioning and inferring to analyse and summarise information and ideas
- Identifying Author's Purpose → AC9E7LA01: Analyse how text structures and language features work together in texts to influence audiences and achieve purpose
- Interpreting Figurative Language → AC9E7LE03: Explain the ways that literary devices and language features such as dialogue, and images are used to create character, and to influence emotions and opinions in different types of texts
- Distinguishing Between Real and Make-believe → AC9E7LE01: Identify and explore ideas, points of view, characters, events and/or issues in literary texts, drawn from historical, social and/or cultural contexts, by First Nations Australian, and wide-ranging Australian and world authors
4. Targeted Instruction:
- Ongoing assessments within STARS track student progress in each strategy.
- This allows for continuous monitoring of growth in relation to ACARA standards.
5. Progress Monitoring:
- Ongoing assessments within STARS track student progress in each strategy.
- This allows for continuous monitoring of growth in relation to ACARA standards.
6. Comprehensive Reporting:
- Teachers receive detailed reports showing:
a) Individual student progress
b) Class-wide trends
c) Areas of strength and weakness across ACARA-aligned reading comprehension skills
7. Data-Driven Instruction:
- The program's reports enable teachers to make informed decisions about instruction, aligning with ACARA's emphasis on evidence-based teaching practices.
By utilising CARS & STARS, educators can efficiently identify and address students' reading comprehension strengths and weaknesses as they relate to ACARA standards. This data-driven approach ensures that instruction is tailored to meet both individual student needs and curriculum requirements.
Discover the transformative power of CARS & STARS Online for your child's reading journey. Register for our complimentary trial and unlock a world of enhanced learning and improved outcomes. Join us today and become a pivotal contributor to your child's reading success.
