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PowerSchool Unified Classroom vs. Renaissance Accelerated Reader

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    PowerSchool Unified Classroom

    Score6.2 out of 10
    N/APowerSchool Unified Classroom is a learning management and classroom collaboration solution suite. It aims to empower teachers with real-time student interaction inside and outside the classroom, bringing in more social and collaborative learning. Teachers can quickly create and deliver rich engaging lessons, electronically collect, annotate, and grade work, and easily collaborate and share with other educators. Unified Classroom includes PowerSchool solutions Assessment, Gradebook, Learning,…N/A

    Renaissance Accelerated Reader

    Score9.9 out of 10
    N/ARenaissance Accelerated Reader® is designed to save educators time by empowering them with Learnalytics® to make differentiating independent and close reading practice effortless – all while maintaining the flexibility necessary to fit within existing classroom routines. Students are engaged in reading self-selected authentic books and articles. Short comprehension quizzes and built-in close reading practice activities, combined with automatic and educator feedback, keep students…N/A
    Pricing
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Considered Both Products
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answer on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    95%
    Would buy again
    37 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    34 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    36 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    25 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    93%
    Implementation went as expected
    25 Answers
    Features
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Learning Management
    Comparison of Learning Management features of PowerSchool Unified Classroom and Renaissance Accelerated Reader
    Feature
    PowerSchool Unified Classroom
    8.1
    2 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Renaissance Accelerated Reader
    -
    Ratings
    Course authoring9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Course catalog or library6.72 Ratings00 Ratings
    Player/Portal9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Learning content8.32 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile friendly5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Progress tracking & certifications7.92 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assignments10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Learning administration8.32 Ratings00 Ratings
    Learning reporting & analytics8.92 Ratings00 Ratings
    Social learning8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
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    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
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    Schoology Learning
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    User Ratings
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.9
    (4 ratings)
    9.9
    (65 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (9 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (9 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    8.9
    (2 ratings)
    9.0
    (25 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    5.5
    (6 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.4
    (2 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    4.5
    (2 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    PowerSchool Unified ClassroomRenaissance Accelerated Reader
    Likelihood to Recommend
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    In the classroom it is very well suited. For classroom teachers, and for school systems in general. It is appropriate in this capacity because it creates a streamlined sense of communication for all stakeholders: teachers, parents, students, and administration. It makes parent meetings very easy, it makes interventions for students easy, and it helps administration keep tabs on overall progress
    Incentivized
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    Renaissance Learning
    I have found Renaissance Accelerated Reader to be well-suited for elementary readers. I don't have experience using it with high school students; however, I know that for our elementary readers, there are no shortages of tests available. Our students can read trade books, articles within the program, or even stories from our textbooks and take tests on them
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    Pros
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    • Hand in/Hand Out Assignments
    • Standards Based Assessments
    Incentivized
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    Renaissance Learning
    • Automatically calculating ZPD ranges. Student level ranges are automatically calculated within the system to ensure that students are correctly choosing the most appropriate books for them.
    • Easy goal setting. Whether you want to set a blanket goal based on 20 minutes per day of reading time for the class, or you want to individually set goals up to an hour a day, AR makes it very easy to manage and set goals for your entire classroom. Goals can be adjusted as needed easily as well.
    • Comprehension monitoring through testing. I can easily see which students are struggling on comprehension through AR book quizzes. From student scores, I can either motivate students who are rushing through books to slow down and take time to thoroughly read, or I can help students who are possibly struggling to read harder books with specific strategies that will benefit them the most. Without the testing feature of AR, I would have a lot more work to check how students are doing on their independent reading.
    • Data that is easy to understand and share with students. From either running a report on the entire class or school to just a specific student, AR makes data tracking easy. I can share reports with students and have detailed discussions about their progress towards meeting their goals or steps to take to overcome reading challenges they are currently having.
    Incentivized
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    Cons
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    • The user interface is a little blocky and not entirely user-friendly.
    • It does take more training than we'd like with new staff.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Renaissance Learning
    • Lately, Accelerated Reader has been adding "New Reports" which would help single class users such as a teacher with one class. But for a person with administrative rights, it creates a bit of a hassle to get the information needed at times.
    • Cost - Accelerated Reader is expensive. For the price paid, I feel Renaissance should include some features instead of having additional fees paid.
    Incentivized
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    Likelihood to Renew
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    [Renaissance] Accelerated Reader is a great way to track student progress, motivate students to read, and measure their comprehension. Accelerated reader gives both teachers and students immediate feedback. There are countless options of books for students and can help increase student interest in books and improve students' reading ability.
    Incentivized
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    Usability
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    I give Renaissance Accelerated Reader a great 10 in usability rating. I give this rating because overall the program is very easy to use and for the most part easy to understand. I am currently in my first year working in the library and with the teachers using the Renaissance Accelerated Reader program so there is still much to learn, but it has been an overall great experience so far. All of the data is easy to read and there is so much information to look over in case anything is missed or not understood. I have so far been very happy with the Renaissance Accelerated Reader program and what it has done for the students.
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    Reliability and Availability
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    I have not encountered any problems with availability
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    Performance
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    Quick loading, no issues.
    Incentivized
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    Support Rating
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    They are very responsive to the issues that we have and follow through with their assistance. Having a live assist that is available when our teachers need it is essential too. They also seem to listen to suggestions on making improvements and have been transparent with us when renovations are done.
    Incentivized
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    Renaissance Learning
    Renaissance Reader has a great support team, and generally, they are quick to respond when needed. The live chat tool is a life-saver when trying to get your problems solved in real-time. They also have a lot of online support articles that ensure that you can get your questions answered without necessarily having to use the live chat during the school day.
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    Implementation Rating
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    Extensive training on Ren Place is necessary. There are a myriad of reports that we need help understanding. I have joined Ren Royals and have learned a lot from that support piece.
    Incentivized
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    Alternatives Considered
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    I have used markbook and gradebook. Each system had good features that were slightly different but the fact that this one is web based and accessible makes it the best of the 3 I have used. The learning curve to using the program is similar to the other 2 and overall has allowed me to save time reporting to students and parents.
    Incentivized
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    Renaissance Learning
    I have not used any of the products listed. However, AR has been my choice of product. My school system choice this product because it interfaces well with all other reading and testing programs that have been purchased. It is an excellent product, but that is a given since it was developed by a teacher to address a problem that all educators deal with (How do you help a struggling reader best?). AR is the answer for me.
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    Scalability
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    No answers on this topic
    Renaissance Learning
    Because students can take tests on varying book levels.
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    Return on Investment
    PowerSchool Group LLC
    • Positive impact- i don't know how much it costs but every teacher spends probably 1-4 hours on powerschool every week but it streamlines communication
    Incentivized
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    Renaissance Learning
    • The goal of AR is for kids to enjoy books, spread their wings, and experience a variety of literature & genres. Children need copious amounts of reading to become good readers. Incorporating Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 into our day sets a purpose for reading and holds children accountable.
    • Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 is research based. The single biggest predictor of academic success is time spent reading. This program allows for that.
    • Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 allows for scaffolding of reading material to get the kids into more challenging material. This program allows children to be successful and build on their strengths.
    • Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 empowers students to take ownership in the learning process. It gives them a voice.
    • Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 is a program that lets students practice and apply skills and strategies learned during mini lessons and strategy-group instruction.
    Incentivized
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    ScreenShots

    PowerSchool Unified Classroom Screenshots

    Screenshot of Discussion in LMSScreenshot of LMS student portalScreenshot of LMS student portfolio