Frequently asked questions

Students

Teachers

Parents

 

Students

Can I read a book from a level above my year level?

You can read books from the book list for your year level or from a level above and they will count towards your Challenge total. You should check with your teachers or parents if you are not in Year 9 or 10 and want to read a book from that list. The Year 9 and 10 list includes titles for mature readers.

 

Can I read a book from a level below my year level?

You can read a book from a level below your year level if your teacher agrees.

 

How many books do I have to read this year?

Students in Prep to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books. Students in Years 3 to 10 are challenged to read 15 books. See Rules for more information. If the books you read are on the list for a different level that's okay, but you still need to read the same number for your year level to meet the Challenge.

 

How many books can I enter?

You can enter up to 100 books on your reading list.

 

I get an error message when I try to log in: 'Please check your username and password'.

The system does not recognise the combination of username and password you have entered. Check your login details with your school Coordinator.

 

I get an error message when I try to log in: 'Student details cannot be found.'

The site is experiencing technical issues which prevent students from logging in to their accounts. Wait and try to log in later. You can also contact Challenge staff to let them know that this message is appearing. Email:readingchallenge@edumail.vic.gov.au

Teachers

 

Has the Challenge changed since last year?

The Rules and the way the Challenge operates have not been changed.

 

What do I do with the paper records and/or consent forms?

Paper records and/or consent forms should be retained by the school for their records. Completion and verification of online records by the Coordinator provides the information required by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. No paper records are to be sent to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Parents

My son/daughter has transferred schools. What do I do about her Reading Challenge records?

The system administrator will transfer student records between schools. Ask a Coordinator at your child’s previous or new school to email readingchallenge@edumail.vic.gov.au with a request to transfer the records to or from the school. 

 

My son/daughter's school is not participating in the Challenge. Can he still participate in the Challenge?

The Challenge is for all Victorian students in Prep to Year 10 so if your son’s school is not participating you can still register him as a home-based reader. To do this visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/parents/ and read the information for home-schooled students and home-based readers. 

 

My son/daughter would have trouble reading many of the books listed for her year level. Can she read books from lower year levels and will these books count toward her Reading Challenge record?

Your child can select books from a lower level list. The online system allows a student to select any book from the book list, regardless of the year level to which it has been allocated.  It is then up to your daughter’s teacher or school Challenge Coordinator to approve, through online verification, her reading list as appropriate and challenging.

 

My son/daughter's school is participating in the Challenge for the first time this year and my daughter has already read several books. How are these books verified?

The school is responsible for the online verification of the books.  Schools operate the Challenge in different ways and some schools may ask parents to supervise the reading and verify on a paper record that the child has read the books – the best thing is to just ask your child’s teacher when you next see him or her.

 

Where can I get books for my children to read for the Challenge?

You should be able to find many suitable books in your school or local library. You may have books at home that you can add to your children’s reading lists.  Remember too that you can add books that are not listed on the Challenge book list – these can be added as personal choice books.

 

My son/daughter is reading a chapter book that is recommended for students in higher year levels and it has as many pages as two or three books combined. Can he record this one book twice?

Technically the online system will not allow you to add the same book twice. If you try to do this you will get the following message: ‘The book you selected was already in your reading list. Please choose another one.’ This supports one of the goals of the Challenge – to encourage students to read more widely. That said, the school Challenge Coordinator can enter information on behalf of your son to support his particular reading needs. Ask your son’s school Challenge Coordinator to visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/teachers and read ‘Details of the process for schools.’ Remember it is ultimately up to the school Challenge Coordinator to verify student reading lists.

 

Are the books on the Challenge list suitable for my child to read?

The inclusion of a book on any of the lists does not mean it is a recommended text for all students.  The book lists provide a broad range of books from which students, parents and teachers can choose appropriate reading material for individual students.  If you have any concerns about the content of titles on the Challenge book lists we encourage you to become involved in the selection of books your child reads for the Challenge to ensure they are appropriate.

Other information:

Have you read this?

cover of Letty on the Land Letty on the Land

by Alison Lloyd

If Letty wants to keep her job she must travel with her mistress to a sheep farm in the Blue Mountains, leaving her sister Lavinia behind in Sydney.  Letty has heard that the bush is a wild place, full of strange beasts and dangers, not to mention the bushrangers who hide out in it.

Why I love reading…

I like to read because every time you get a new book it is like going on a new and interesting adventure.

Stephanie (Year 4)