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September 20, 2020
Accelerated Reader is used throughout the district as a tool to keep students engaged while independently reading. By tracking and questioning students on their independent reading books, it allows teachers to focus on individually conferencing with students. They use the data gathered by Accelerated Reader to help focus their conversations with students and keep track of the progress they make throughout the school year.
- Ensure that students have read and understand the books they choose to read.
- Keep track of what books students have read.
- Engages students to choose books of increasing difficulty.
- Simpler user Interface for teachers.
- Simpler user interface for admins.
- It would be nice to have a suggested reading list for students based on the titles that they have already read.
December 22, 2020
We use [Renaissance] Accelerated Reader building wide. We set goals for students, They receive a grade based on the percentage of the goal that they make.
- Cover Reading Comprehension
- Vast collection of Books to test on.
- Management
- Reports
- Parent access and communication
July 24, 2020
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is an excellent resource used by Imagine Schools to support student comprehension. This valuable tool provides a platform for teachers to set goals with students, conferencing on students' reading habits, and celebrate students' success. By using Accelerated Reader teachers are able to personalize the students pathway to ensure everyone is reaching their maximum potential.
- Data
- Reports
- Student Specific Learning Progressions
- Update the platform with avatars or exciting graphics for students
August 26, 2020
We use it in the classroom and I use it in the library and computer lab.
- I like the vocabulary tests.
- I like the read-to option.
- I wish the test automatically went to the vocabulary tests after the quiz questions.
- I wish I could set the read-to option automatically for my SPED students.
February 19, 2020
Accelerated Reader is being used county-wide in grades K-8. Accelerated Reader gives us a powerful tool to assess students' levels in reading using STAR tests, tests to check students' comprehension, and reports to track progress. Accelerated Reader helps motivate students to read every day and achieve their individual reading goals.
- Accelerated Reader does a good job of making the use of STAR results to easily set AR goals for students.
- AR goals are easy to see and keep track of each student's progress towards their goals.
- AR could use a face lift for viewing reports by making the font easier to read.
- I think AR could increase their student engagement by having a screen that recognized students for "streaks" of passing tests, making 100% on tests, etc.
Our whole school, though small, uses Accelerated Reader 360. We love the program and being able to see how well our students are paying attention to the books and stories being read. It is also a user-friendly service that helps teachers and parents watch the progress of their child/student. Our students are on the program every day and it is very user-friendly for them as well.
- It tests students knowledge of books and how close they paid attention to the story.
- It provides good data for how well a student is growing in their reading abilities.
- It gives a good level of reading for our students and allows teachers to see what grade level they are close to.
- I also love the recommendations of other books students could or should read next.
- The quizzes test more details from a story versus the comprehension of the story.
January 25, 2020
Most of our school uses Accelerated Reader. It is also used throughout our school district. My students enjoy using Accelerated Reader, and I believe it definitely helps with their reading progress and comprehension. It also provides good data for students who are having reading difficulties as well. You can look for patterns in their data.
- Focus on comprehension.
- It has a good variety of books available for testing.
- Maybe more kid friendly motivators toward meeting goals.
I have been very pleased with this product, and I have always had a good experience with it. The website is reliable. There's good customer service if you are in need of it. Also, there is a large help section already done for you, so there's been little need for me to get any support.
June 12, 2020
Our school district uses Renaissance Accelerated Reader to encourage students to read daily. We also use Accelerated Reader to monitor student progress and academic growth. This product is so flexible and can be used in so many ways! Accelerated Reader is user friendly for students and teachers! There is also a way to connect parents to student accounts. Parents can monitor student progress and receive email updates about their child’s activity in Accelerated Reader.
- The Accelerated Reader program is easy for students and teachers to use.
- Accelerated Reader is so flexible and can be used with all students and all reading levels.
- Renaissance Accelerated Reader makes monitoring student reading so manageable and easy.
- Even though Accelerated Reader has a VERY LARGE collection of quizzes, not all books have an AR test.
- They are always adding new quizzes to increase the quiz collection.
- When selecting an Accelerated Reader Quiz, students often click the wrong language.
- Some quizzes can be difficult to locate if they have the same title as many other books.
April 29, 2020
AR is used daily in our school. Students are tested to determine their reading level. Students goals are set and students find books on their level to read and test on. Students must maintain at least 85% accuracy and reach their goal in order to earn daily, weekly, or monthly goals. Our school's AR team plans the awards for each month. The awards are planned with a theme that matches any activity for each month. For example, for December, any child reaching their AR goal is invited to a movie with popcorn - dressed in their Christmas pajamas of course! Parents are able to keep track of their child's progress at home. Students are also able to keep track of their progress and document it in their Leader In ME AR folder. Finally, we gather during a Senergy Assembly and recognize those who reached their goals, exceeded their goals, the top AR points achieved, and million word readers are also recognized.
- AR promotes the love of reading.
- AR promotes teacher/child/parent communication.
- AR strengthens comprehension in our students.
- Easy access for parents to print a list of the books their child has read and tested on.
January 21, 2020
As a teacher in a language arts classroom, I use the Accelerated Reader (AR) program on a daily basis. Students select books at their independent reading level based on a STAR test given through the program. This level allows students to read appropriate books that they will understand and grow from as a reader. They then test on the books and receive points for their score. Point and percentage goals are set for each student on a quarterly basis.
- Levels up readers
- Provides suggestions for areas that students need additional support
- Labeling links clearly and with more detail
December 09, 2019
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is used across our entire school district to monitor students' reading levels and comprehension through quizzing.
- Allows us to monitor student comprehension through quiz averages.
- Provides reading levels from testing instrument.
- Provides student's with access to view their individual goals and progression towards the goals.
- Setting the student's individual book level goals should be in order by last name since all reports are done in this format, but the book level setting is currently organized by first name and does not match any of the reports.
October 02, 2019
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is used at the elementary level in my district to help students gain comprehension skills and practice new vocabulary that is learned in the books that are read. The program is also used to track students' learning and growth for their reading level. We use that information to set levels for the different books that they are to read. You can compare the levels of growth over years as well.
- Data tracking
- Assessing reading levels
- Assessing comprehension
- Would like to see more rigorous questioning
September 27, 2019
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is being used by every teacher in my school. It is being used to motivate and support student reading. We explain the data, the Lexile and the ZPD to parents and students. Knowing where they are and where they should be, motivates parents to encourage their child or children to read more on their level. Reading on their level improves their reading skills and increase their Lexile and ZPD. The students are motivated by teachers and parents.
- Renaissance allows teachers to collaborate.
- We can gain knowledge on how to implement different strategies.
- Teachers learn what works for certain students and what doesn't.
- In my opinion, one thing that needs improvement, is the rewards.
- I can't do some challenges that are linked to social media. I am not a social media person.
- More video!
September 27, 2019
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is what our entire organization uses. Students get a book then test it. They must have a 90% success rate when testing. Students are constantly wanting to make sure they hit their goals when reading. It is a good tool for teachers as well, to gauge where students are needing help. You can tell how many books they read, the level, the percentage of the engaged time, and the percentage of how many fiction versus non-fiction they have taken out.
- Gives student engaged time.
- Tell the book level average of the student.
- Tells how many books the child has tested and if they tested successfully.
- It is fine just the way it is.
We use Accelerated Reader with our 2nd - 5th grade students. It is an optional program, which is supposed to encourage students to read more. We have offered quarterly stores where the students can spend points, as well as tiered rewards with a field trip as the grand prize.
- Renaissance motivates kids by keeping track of the number of words they read in each book.
- There are features we don't use, such as the dashboard. We have found that difficult to understand.
December 06, 2019
Every student in our district has an account, but implementation is spotty especially in the upper grades.
- Allows teachers to monitor independent reading.
- Gives students the ability to track their own reading.
- Encourages kids to read.
- Students should be able to see their reading goals and progress in numbers.
- The record book should have the option of a graphical matrix with quicker access to student scores on individual scores.
- The reports are too cumbersome. I shouldn't have to scroll through 500 kids' names to get the one I want.
We currently use Accelerated Reader school-wide. This helps us track student reading practice and guide us in recommending reading. Teachers submit weekly reports and at a point goal of 2.5 with an 85 average. These goals are aligned to district goals. This program ensures reading practice that we would otherwise not be able to track other than with a reading log.
- Track student reading practice
- Compare Book Level from STAR to actual book level from reading practice
- Consolidated reports help to see STAR and AR levels
- Ability to duplicate classes
- Share AR classes with STAR so that that we don't have to make separate groups
- Too many steps for Reports
We use Accelerated Reader school-wide to assess student comprehension and to motivate/cultivate life long learners. We can measure growth and/or regression in the area of reading comprehension when monitored regularly.
- Accelerated Reader gives immediate feedback.
- It provides clear and concise instructions.
- Accelerated Reader provides data to assist with instructional planning.
- I would like to see a feature that will notify the building admin that a child has reached their reading certification.
- I would like a feature that would generate a half size sheet of paper to include a student's username and password as well as their ZPD.
- I would like the rollover rights from year to year be given to the building admin versus the district admin.
- no training
I am a teacher at a K-6 school. All homeroom teachers use it with their students. We use it as a way to motivate and track readers. We also use the reports to show weaknesses and growth. Accelerated Reader is a great product to use in the classroom. It also helps us stay connected with parents.
- The reports provided are helpful when tracking student growth.
- AR helps motivate readers.
- I would like to see some short answer questions accompany books.
- Some features are difficult to find when setting goals.
- I wish there was a way to track certificates printed.
August 16, 2019
Renaissance Learning is widely used throughout the school system as a reliable indicator of reading comprehension through its STAR and AR tests. It has progressed thousands of readers to excellence and comprehension.
- Real time progress monitoring of student reading comprehension.
- Multiple reports detailing successes and areas of struggle.
- Amazing customer service.
- The price for schools to use AR and STAR, especially with budgets being cut, is very high.
March 27, 2019
Accelerated Reader is currently being used school-wide in our Elementary school. We are a rural K-8 school and use AR every day. I personally use AR in my 3-8 Reading classes. I also support 3 other teachers as they use AR in their own classrooms. My main goal in using AR is to motivate students to read independently for pleasure. AR is a tool that allows me to help students choose books that are within their ZPD and ensure they are comprehending what they have read. The data tracking in AR is invaluable. I can easily pinpoint problems for specific students and have a conversation with them about any issues that come up. AR also makes it very easy to include students in goal setting and discussions about their data. Either using a scaled score or ATOS level, students can easily understand what level their independent reading ability is at and then track that level as it grows throughout the school year. AR has become an invaluable resource for me in my classroom for both motivating and engaging students and for me personally to be able to use student data to help guide my students as they grow as readers.
- 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.
- Some quizzes seem to have multiple question sets, so that students can't look up the answers if they failed the test the first time, but I would love to see this done for all quizzes.
- I feel like Renaissance is doing better about there being more PD available for their products, but I wish it was more readily accessible.
February 19, 2019
Our school/district uses Accelerated Reader. Generally, it is used by Language Arts teachers, but it does help track reading and reading comprehension. Students are given goals to strive for each grading period and strive to reach that goal. There are many pros and cons for using Accelerated Reader but our students have used it for years and I don't see it going away any time soon.
- 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.
- 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.
February 04, 2019
I am using Renaissance Accelerated Reader in my first and second grade classroom. AR 360 is also being used by all other classrooms--4K-5th grade--in our building. Renaissance Accelerated Reader keeps my students motivated and eager to read and improve their reading skills and strategies. Renaissance AR is the perfect fit when using the Reading Workshop Daily 5 model. Children in my classroom begin every day with reading to themselves, taking comprehension and vocabulary quizzes, and working toward their goal. I have found my students take ownership of their reading and learning and have become much more independent. They challenge themselves and each other to continually grow and improve.
- Renaissance Accelerated Reader has great customer service support. They are clear, concise, and respond quickly. Their live chat support service is great.
- Renaissance Accelerated Reader is constantly adding new quizzes to their data base. They keep current with the most popular books that children currently read. They also have quizzes for the timeless classics.
- Renaissance Accelerated Reader has reports that provide data ranging from the number of words students have read to a students growth trajectory. This is helpful when planning lessons to work with children in small groups or independently.
- Renaissance allows me the capability to see real time quizzing data. This allows for me to monitor students' progress while also working with other children. I am able to my time efficiently and effectively.
- 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.
It is used across the system. It addresses the problem of reading practice with our students. My classroom uses the program daily and I review the data several times a day. My students enjoy striving for and reaching goals. I appreciate the level playing field. My striving readers can achieve their goals as quickly as my thriving readers.
- Provides data used to drive instruction. I can easily see who is reading, at what level (above or below their ability) and if they are comprehending what they read.
- Allows students to choose books they are interested in. Almost every book I've ever searched for has an AR test.
- Shows students progress toward goals and allows them to monitor it daily.
- Encourages students to grow
- Teaches students what they are capable of
- Increases reading stamina
- Includes parents in praising students by providing info on each and every test to parents in real time.
- Keeps parents informed when they sign up for HomeConnect.
- Provides teachers with small group instruction when using the reports available.
- It would be nice if students could stop Accelerated Reader tests without a teacher's password.
- I'd like for students to know the percent of their goal reached, even after they reach 100%. For example, when they are at 125% of goal. That's why I am glad it now shows this info when students test.
April 12, 2019
It is being used from PK-12th grade in our district. We have a very strong team that focuses on the data that is gathered from the reports.
- It allows teachers to have data on the growth the students make in reading independently.
- Other departments also use the STAR Program to give them data on each students' book levels.
- As a school, we promote the program with our teachers and students.
- I love the way it is so user-friendly, and the fact that teachers have an opportunity to live chat in order to ask for help at any time.
- As a librarian, the program allows us to generate data for teachers to use in their classes.
- I would love to see more incentives for the schools to receive after achieving their goals.
- I think it could add emojis to the test questions to make it more interesting.
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Scorecard Summary
What is Renaissance Accelerated Reader?
Renaissance 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 accountable for their learning. Dashboards and reporting provide users with the insights necessary to identify quickly which students need more support, which skills each student is ready to learn, and which resources will cultivate proven growth.
According to the vendor, key benefits include:
- Students are nearly twice as likely to be college and career ready with they practice with Renaissance Accelerated Reader.
- A strong research base of 178 scientific studies and review backs Renaissance Accelerated Reader, which ensures that you have scientifically sound practice and reliable data for instructional decisions.
- The Council of Administrators of Special Education endorses Renaissance Accelerated Reader for improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
Categories: Assessment
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Competitors
ReadnQuiz, Whooo's Reading, LightSail, Newslea, Acheive3000
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Pricing
- Does not have featureFree Trial Available?No
- Does not have featureFree or Freemium Version Available?No
- Has featurePremium Consulting/Integration Services Available?Yes
- Entry-level set up fee?No
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Support Options
| Free Version | Paid Version | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Social Media | ||
| Video Tutorials / Webinar | ||
| Forum/Community | ||
| FAQ/Knowledgebase |
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Technical Details
| Deployment Types: | SaaS |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems: | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application: | Mobile Web |