The Accelerated Reader (AR) program at Port Allen High School has an overly severe impact on student grades. This well-meaning reading program calls for students to earn ten points per month via tests on selected books. Unfortunately, failure to reach this point threshold can lead to drastic reductions in student grades. To illustrate this, a student who maintained an A grade in Civics for the entire year suffered a plummet to a 55 F grade after missing just one month of AR tests during the second semester. To place emphasis on the stakes at play here, for a student to drop from an A to an F would require a minimum of a 30 point decrease in the class grade. The impact of AR program tests is not limited to a single subject but extends to every core subject by the end of the semester, as every month of testing affects a different subject by alternation. This practice unfairly penalizes learners, adding unnecessary stress and potentially hindering their future academic opportunities. It is unnecessary for a reading initiative to carry such weighty consequences.

Educational institutions globally recognize the importance of promoting reading without resorting to punitive measures. In the words of literacy expert Stephen Krashen, "Free voluntary reading is the source of most of our vocabulary, our ability to handle complex grammatical constructions, our ability to spell well, and our ability to handle writing style" (Krashen, 2004). However, turning a reading program into a high-stakes grading system can squelch students' natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. We must urge Port Allen High School to reconsider the punitive aspect of their AR program and adopt a more compassionate and effective approach.

We, the people of Port Allen High School, must express our views! Join us to push for this meaningful educational reform, even if you attend Port Allen Middle School, Caneview, Brusly, or you’re just a supportive spectator. Please sign our petition and support a fairer grading policy at Port Allen High School.