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

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.

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