Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)

The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is a statewide system dedicated to the development of reading and literacy skills. The ultimate goal of ARI is to significantly improve reading instruction and achieve 100% literacy among public schools. The extensive research ARI provides empowers teachers that the skills and strategies they teach are helping students who are challenged reading.

The ARI has many benefits within the state of Alabama. What sets ARI apart from other reading programs is that the system does not only target struggling readers. In fact, ARI accommodates to all readers and reading levels. ARI acts in three fronts: beginning reading, expanding reading power, and effective intervention. Students must accumulate a certain number of AR reading points before leveling up.

A drawback from the ARI is that students sometimes race through books to take AR computer quizzes. Of course, students finishing a book or multiple books is excellent. However, if students speed through novels and picture books, they may not truly absorb all the presented material. Additionally, AR points are competitive in the classroom. Students may find that they are competing against a peer or friend to earn more AR points. Though the ARI is a competitive process, literacy among elementary school students has increased drastically.