AARI
What is AARI
The Adolescent Accelerated Reading Initiative (AARI) is a Tier 2/3 (MTSS) short-term, intensive intervention that accelerates reading comprehension and critical thinking in informational text. AARI is for general and special education students in grades three through twelve and English Learners with a minimum overall WIDA proficiency score of 3.0. The instructional framework is built on evidence-based strategies and culture-centered research.
AARI Professional Learning 2026 - 2027
Please notice: A minimum of 15 hours beyond the Summer Institute are required for all first-year AARI educators. AARI educators have lifetime access to AARI professional learning at no additional cost (except Advanced AARI).
Summer Institute
The Institute is an intensive 5-day professional learning required for educators to implement the AARI intervention. It is followed by required ongoing professional learning throughout the school year and individual, job-embedded coaching.
Who: Grades 4-12 general education, special education and ESL educators who provide reading intervention, resource room teachers, SLPs, etc.
When: August 3-7, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Oakland Schools (Friday virtual), 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, MI 48328
Advanced AARI
As always, we'll have breakout topics, book planning sessions, and collaboration. This year's shared learning will be around the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law's (PA 146) professional learning requirements for reading specialists and interventionists. Contact Jill with any questions.
Who: AARI/ACRI educators who have already attended the Institute
When: August 11-12, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Oakland Schools, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford 48328
Markup
Virtual after-school (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, September 10
- Wednesday, October 7
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 17
- Thursday, January 7
- Wednesday, January 20
- Thursday, February 25
- Tuesday, March 16
- Wednesday, April 7
- Tuesday, May 4
Learning Lab
Some in-person classes during school day and some recorded classes (4:00-5:30 p.m.) | Format TBA
- Thursday, October 22
- Tuesday, November 10
- Wednesday, February 3
- Wednesday, March 10
- Tuesday, April 13
- Thursday, May 6 (virtual)
Design Studios
All in-person | Some during the day (12:00-3:00 p.m.) at Oakland Schools and after-school (4:30-6:30 p.m.) various districts
- Thursday, September 17 (district TBA)
- Thursday, October 15 (OS)
- Wednesday, November 4 (district TBA)
- Thursday, February 11 (OS)
- Thursday, March 4 (district TBA)
- Wednesday, April 21 (district TBA)
Why AARI
AARI accelerates reading comprehension by leveraging high-impact literacy practices to promote mastery and confidence for students. As a whole, AARI participants show significant increases in reading comprehension and growth toward grade level proficiency.*
Growth Toward Grade Level Proficiency
Before AARI: 0 percent on or above grade level, 6 percent 1 to 2 grade levels below, 32 percent 3 to 4 grade levels below, 61 percent 5 or more grade levels below. After AARI: 19 percent on or above grade level, 31 percent 1 to 2 grade levels below, 30 percent 3 to 4 grade levels below, 20 percent 5 or more grade levels below.
* A thin blue sliver is shown for “On or Above Grade Level” before AARI for visual consistency; actual value is 0%.
Required Elements for Successful Implementation
In order to achieve optimal student results, AARI must be implemented as it has been researched. If any of these elements are altered, the success of students can be compromised.
- Educators participate in a 5-day summer institute, job-embedded coaching and required ongoing learning throughout the school year
- Students need to be in groups of 10 or fewer (5 to 8 students is optimal)
- Students need at least 45 minutes per day/5 days per week for a minimum of 20 weeks
- Students should not be added to an AARI class after it has been in session for 5 days
- Students need to be grouped by the expository reading levels based on the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI) within 2 to 3 reading comprehension levels
- QRI should be administered according to the Oakland Schools QRI Training (OS provides free self-paced, online training for any staff administering QRI)
- Educators need time to complete the necessary pre- and post-QRI
- Oakland County districts have developed creative AARI implementation approaches that preserve fidelity. Contact AARI to collaborate on your implementation.
AARI & Special Education
AARI is appropriate for students receiving special education services. AARI provides specially designed instruction that addresses the unique needs of each student through the intervention framework. AARI bridges the gap for students from specialized instruction to the general curriculum.
How does AARI support special education students? How can an AARI schedule integrate special education students?
AARI & English Learners
AARI is an appropriate intervention for English Learners (ELs) and Experienced ELs (EELs)
AARI is a powerful reading intervention suitable for LTELs which increases critical thinking, reading comprehension, and access to content area reading. AARI improves the skills necessary for LTELs/EELs to achieve higher WIDA scores and overall academic success.
Adolescent Accelerated Reading Initative
Jill Maneice
Reading Intervention Consultant
jill.maneice@oakland.k12.mi.us