What users are saying about
4 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.8 out of 100
Based on 4 reviews and ratings
Top Rated
63 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.3 out of 100
Based on 63 reviews and ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
PowerSchool Special Education is well suited in one specific area: special education in elementary, middle and high schools. It works here due to the nature of the platform, which focuses on meeting the needs of students with all disabilities. The software offers information on specific cases, students, as well as Academics. This supports the mission of supporting all students and making it easier for educators, parents, and administration to be more heavily involved in tracking, monitoring and supporting students. When using PowerSchool Special Education, it simplifies the IEP process. Collaboration is one of the best abilities the software provides. There is a need to track program eligibility, including 501 accommodations and Title 1, and in a school with such a large population, the functionality that this software offers to users is important.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
I feel that AR is well suited to any self-contained classroom and for all grades. It is also well suited for those who teach reading across multiple grades. I teach reading 3-8 at our school and I find that it is easy to use AR daily in my classes. If you have a lot of younger students or those who are struggling readers, then the Early Literacy program may be a better fit then the regular Accelerated Reader system. I know that sometimes our Kindergarten classes can't fully use AR until the end of Kindergarten or the start of their 1st-grade year.
Reading Teacher
Manes R-VPrimary/Secondary Education, 11-50 employees
Pros
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- It provides all the documents necessary for supporting federal and state laws in regards to the special education program.
- Extremely effective in helping to meet reporting standards for students. Teachers that fall behind on deadlines or timelines are given reminders and provided with processes to monitor progress and reporting.
- Case management is easy, which leads to 100% compliance. This is important because the best strength is that this platform helps to increase funding by meeting all requirements of the Fed and State.
- An additional strength is the collaborative potential it offers. The platform offers student portals to let staff access all resources on demand.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
- If used correctly, Accelerated Reader helps students grow with their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. I advise teachers to have one on one conversations with students when setting goals (allow students to have input) so that the students are given more responsibility to achieve their own goals.
- Renaissance's online chat/customer service is outstanding. They can usually answer my questions and do so in an understandable manner. They seem to be willing to help and will follow through if necessary.
- There are many reports that Accelerated Reader administrators can use to help decipher the data created from their students taking Accelerated Reader quizzes.
Library Media Specialist
Jackson Public SchoolsLibraries, 1001-5000 employees
Cons
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- In terms of improvement, the interface is extremely ugly and simple in design, color and icon design. The platform needs to have a much more interactive and appealing interface so that use is more comfortable.
- For parents, their side of the platform has a lot of options. That needs to be simplified. I think less and more drop downs within the key menus would help.
- The disability codes are very lengthy. Perhaps there are easier or faster ways to access subsections to select.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
- It was helpful--and quicker--when my students were able to log in to Accelerated Reader through the iPad app. Unfortunately, the app is not going to be supported. My students will still be able to use the iPad for quizzing and STAR assessments. It is just a couple of extra steps.
Elementary Teacher
Portage Community School DistrictEducation Management, 51-200 employees
Likelihood to Renew
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 9.7
Based on 6 answers
We are very happy with Accelerated Reader and use it on a daily basis. It helps us keep track of student reading practice and helps us to help students find reading material that is at their level and of their interest. STAR Reading also helps us to guide instruction on a daily basis.

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Libraries Company, 51-200 employeesUsability
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 8.5
Based on 6 answers
I would say that Accelerated Reader is a pretty user-friendly tool. The platform is easily used by teachers, administrators, and students of all grade levels and technical abilities. That being said, it would be nice to see some tweaks to the user interface to make it even easier for everyone to navigate.
Innovative Teaching Coach
CCSD180Education Management, 51-200 employees
Reliability and Availability
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 10.0
Based on 1 answer
I have not encountered any problems with availability

Verified User
Employee in Other
Education Management Company, 201-500 employeesPerformance
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 8.0
Based on 1 answer
I have not experienced any performance issues.

Verified User
Employee in Other
Education Management Company, 201-500 employeesSupport Rating
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 8.7
Based on 23 answers
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is a program I have used with students for 9 years. It is so flexible and easy to use! I have seen the amazing benefits and an increase in the minutes my students read each day. I look forward to using this program next year and learning more about how it can help increase reading in our school.

Verified User
Employee in Other
Primary/Secondary Education Company, 1001-5000 employeesImplementation Rating
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 9.9
Based on 4 answers
I suggest that school create a plan that outlines:*Opportunities for Reading*Opportunities for Testing*Opportunities for Rewards*Student Accountability Measures prior to testingI further that each classroom teacher create a classroom plan that mirrors the school plan.

Verified User
Employee in Other
Education Management Company, 201-500 employeesAlternatives Considered
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
There is no other software on the market that is specifically focused on improving the support of special education programs. PowerSchool Special Education system has a similar interface and structure that Moodle Rooms offer; however, Moodle Rooms is for content management and student management. PowerSchool Special Education is not related to course curriculum management, it is primarily focused on special education programs. Managing special education programs can be very difficult and stressful. It is impossible to successfully comply and healthily support a special education program without tools such as PowerSchool Special Education. Even more important than what other software does do for schools and educators, this platform makes it more convenient for families. Electronic forms and parent portals make processes easier.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
We love Accelerated Reader at our school and back this program 100% to increase student reading, vocabulary, and comprehension in order to close the reading gap. I haven't seen any other program with the positive results that accelerated reader has done for our students in the last four years. We have gone from having the bottom state testing scores to reaching near the top in various subjects across the board in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.
Librarian
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISDLibraries, 11-50 employees
Scalability
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Accelerated Reader 8.0
Based on 1 answer
Because students can take tests on varying book levels.

Verified User
Employee in Other
Education Management Company, 201-500 employeesReturn on Investment
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- There is also a positive impact on ROI for the school. Utilizing this software provides the school with the ability to increase the potential it receives in Title 1 funding. Title 1 funding is a major source of funding for inner-city schools in particular.
- Normally, the IEP and tracking process is lengthy, filled with paper, and often takes more time than necessary. Utilizing this software speeds up the process and provides clear requirements to be met, which reduces the number of questions and confusing meetings or papers left in teacher mailboxes.
- I have not experienced a negative return on investment with the software, because, without it, the paper trail would be too lengthy and the process would be much more convoluted, with long meetings, long sheets of paperwork, and missed deadlines due to a lack of clear collaboration.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
- The positive impact is that educators are showing interest in learning more about RAR.
- The negative impact would be that there's not enough time to utilize one program with time always being an issue.
- Access at home is an issue...host address is hard to find.
Teacher
Biloxi Public SchoolsEducation Management, 1001-5000 employees
Screenshots
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
See Both PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs ScreenshotsRenaissance Accelerated Reader
—Pricing Details
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
Entry-level set up fee?
No