JQuery Rating... Clicked value?

Hi,

I don’t know if I’m just over tired or just can’t figure this out.

I have the jquery novice to ninja book and I’m doing the star rating system.

I want to add an ajax to post to my database, which I have.

The one thing I can’t figure out is how to get the inputs actual value not the text.

this is the tutorial

i want the value of the input when the star is clicked.

Any ideas?