Reading Incentive Programs

by Debbi Angiolieri and Linda Cheresnowski

Introduction

What is a reading incentive program?

    Reading incentive programs are programs which encourage children to read by offering prizes, rewards, or other incentives to increase their interest in reading and increase the amount of time they spend reading.   There are a variety of reading incentive programs available.   

    Corporate programs are reading incentive programs which are sponsored by businesses and corporations.  Some of these programs are on-going, while others are one-time events. Corporations such as Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Chrystler, and Toys R Us have all sponsored or are now sponsoring programs designed to encourage reading. 

    There are also programs sponsored by the government or by various organizations.  These programs include ones such as PARP (Parents As Reading Partners), Read Across America, America Reads Challenge, and the Read In.

    Commercial programs are programs which schools and libraries pay to own or participate in.   In this category are programs such as Accelerated Reader, Reading Counts, and Ebsco's Online Reader.

    The section on librarian-designed programs include programs developed by librarians, teachers, and other reading professionals.   Imagination and creativity are often the staples of these programs.  

Advantages & Disadvantages of Reading Incentive Programs

    Although frequently used, there has been some discussion and debate over the benefits of reading incentive programs.   Advocates of reading incentive programs believe such programs encourage children to read and to read more.   They cite increased library book checkout and student excitement as evidence of their position.  Also, these programs may help students develop the habit of reading, can guide students to quality literature, and serve as a tool to encourage children to read.   One excellent resource that discusses the benefits of reading incentive programs can be located at: http://www.tasb.org/tcer/reading.html.

    Opponents of reading incentive programs feel that the students are working only for a prize and that without the prize or bribe, children will not read.   They claim there is little to no statistical evidence of the benefits of such programs, and feel that children will come to believe that reading is such a boring thing to do that the only way someone will do it is if they are offered a reward.   Opponents claim that reading incentive programs devalue reading, limit the types of books children may read to participate in the program, and can influence library collection development and management choices.   

    Links to discussions on both sides of this issue can be located in our bibliography. 

Next:  Developing & Implementing A Program