Easy for Students
I use Renaissance Accelerated Reader in my class for students to test on books they have been reading. I run reports weekly to see how the …
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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…
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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…
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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.
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Competitors
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application | Mobile Web |
Frequently Asked Questions
ReadnQuiz, Whooo's Reading, and LightSail Education are common alternatives for Renaissance Accelerated Reader.
Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 9.1.
The most common users of Renaissance Accelerated Reader are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Renaissance Accelerated Reader has a wide range of use cases in educational settings. Teachers and students across various grade levels use the software to promote independent reading, improve reading skills, and track progress. With its comprehensive tracking features, Renaissance Accelerated Reader allows teachers to monitor student reading practice and growth, providing standardized data that can be shared with other support personnel. This data-driven approach helps identify specific areas of challenge for individual students and guides discussions about their progress.
In addition to fostering a love for reading, Renaissance Accelerated Reader motivates students to read independently by allowing them to earn points and incentives. The software offers a vast collection of books that students love, with new additions being made regularly. It is often used as a tool to ensure that students are reading appropriate and challenging materials while checking comprehension skills. By setting goals and holding students accountable for their comprehension, teachers can effectively differentiate instruction based on individual needs. The program's user-friendly interface empowers students to take ownership of their learning and continually grow and improve as readers. Overall, Renaissance Accelerated Reader has become an invaluable resource for motivating and engaging students while using data to guide their growth as readers.
Users have made several common recommendations for Renaissance Accelerated Reader based on their experiences.
One recommendation is to utilize the program for data-driven instruction. Many users have found that Renaissance Accelerated Reader provides valuable statistics and data for teachers. This allows them to align their lessons with student needs and track progress effectively. By using the program, teachers can make informed decisions about which skills to focus on and tailor instruction accordingly.
Another recommendation is to take advantage of time-saving features. Users have noted that Renaissance Accelerated Reader frees up time for instruction. The program's automated assessment and grading system eliminates the need for manual grading, enabling teachers to devote more time to teaching. This efficiency is particularly beneficial in a busy classroom environment where teachers often face constraints on time.
A third recommendation is to enhance student engagement and motivation. Several users have mentioned that Renaissance Accelerated Reader increases student excitement about reading. The program offers rewards and incentives such as badges and points that motivate students to read more books. This gamification aspect has proven effective in encouraging reluctant readers and promoting a positive reading culture in the classroom.
In addition to these recommendations, users also suggest joining the Renaissance Royals program for tips and support. This program provides educators with resources, professional development opportunities, and a community of fellow educators to exchange ideas and best practices.
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Reviews
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April 24, 2024
Easy for Students
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I use Renaissance Accelerated Reader in my class for students to test on books they have been reading. I run reports weekly to see how the students are doing and if they are comprehendign what they are reading. My students are able to see the number of books they have read, their percentage average and they get to collect items when they meet their goal.
- Large selection of quizzes
- User Friendly
- Changing the quiz numbers for a different languages or being more obvious for kids
March 14, 2023
Accelerated Reader in Kindergarten
I have been using Accelerated Reader for many years. I have been there to watch/participate as the platform has changed over the year. It just keeps getting better and better. I teacher kindergarten and I love how this program encourages daily reading. My young students love to read and go to the library "by themselves" to get new books. We cheer for each child as they meet goals, may 100's on quizzes and earn new badges on the platform. I love the reports that are available to look at student data and growth. Very user friendly. I love this product.
- Reports and Data
- Daily Reading goals
- Records students progress
- Continue improving and updating platform
- Whole group testing for young readers
- Make Quiz previews easier to find
- More predictable texts available for young readers
January 31, 2023
Ren Place in the Classroom
I use AR with my students to discover their reading levels and track both their comprehension and a reading activity. The problems are motivating students to read at home. I supplement the program with incentive prizes that I purchase. The addition of the goal setting and the moving rocket has really added to my students' excitement. I like how students can track their progress through the rocket and completed work. I wish that my/on better paired with AR so my non-readers could have access to books in their AR level. Both the STAR and Early Literacy tests do not address the leveling of students significantly below grade level.
- STAR tests in accurate in leveling students.
- The moving rocket for goals motivates students.
- The leveling of books is helpful.
- The webpage with the five kinds of assessment was so confusing for my students. Four of the boxes were blue and one was orange. You recently added a colored tip, which is somewhat helpful. I wish the graphics were more unique and engaging.
- Work on the usability of my/on and better pairing it with AR
- Generate AR tests more quickly when new books come out.
January 18, 2022
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Review
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.
June 20, 2021
Education's BFF: Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
My school system has continuously used Accelerated Reader (AR) to initially assess and monitor reading practice and progress. It is mainly used in grades K-5 presently and is dependent on individual classroom teachers. It is purchased for the entire school system. Teachers are encouraged to have data to assess students. AR helps teachers to have a well-researched computerized system to analyze current reading comprehension of materials chosen by the student. This provides standardized current data that can be shared with other support personnel (reading specialists, curriculum coordinators, media specialists).
- Large selection of tests. This does not limit the students' choices of reading materials.
- Computer assistance with setting goals for individual student/classroom.
- Parent portal eases the communication process to parents.
- Increase ways to improve reading comprehension for grades 6-12.
- More read-to tests to support differentiated learning.
- More training sessions for free for new and experienced users.
April 05, 2021
Thoughts on Accelerated Reader
At our school district, we use Accelerated Reader to support our students' reading goals. Accelerated Reader makes students accountable for their own reading/comprehension progress. It is user friendly and the students already know exactly how to use it. In our classroom, we can do "read-alouds" or students can read independently and then they can access Accelerated Reader to take quizzes based on our readings.
- User friendly.
- Easy to navigate.
- Reliable website.
- The student version is user friendly, but the updated teacher version was a little hard to navigate at first.
- It sometimes takes a while to update after a student has taken a quiz.
- When students use their passwords it can be very picky as to how they need to type it. Now that we use Clever that doesn't seem to be an issue anymore.
December 22, 2020
Accelerated User for Remote Learning!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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
September 20, 2020
Renaissance Accelerated Reader
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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.
July 24, 2020
Renaissance Accelerated Reader Review
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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
June 13, 2020
Motivated to Read with Accelerated Reader!
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.
February 12, 2020
Accelerated Reader 360
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.
November 07, 2019
Accelerated Reader Rocks!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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
October 07, 2019
Drop Everything and Read
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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.
August 17, 2019
Accelerated Reader creates Accelerated Progress
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
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.
May 05, 2019
Encourages Reading!!
Renaissance Accelerated Reader is used for K-12 across our whole district. It is mainly used with the English teachers and their students. It is also used by our virtual students. Our elementary uses it as a free reading tool to earn points and incentives, and the higher grades use it as a graded activity.
- It encompasses a large variety of reading materials.
- It is a user-friendly platform.
- Book suggestions based on previous use would be a great addition.
April 12, 2019
Accelerated Reader Keeps Us Reading!
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.
March 07, 2019
Positive AR
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
My entire school uses Accelerated Reader. It helps track student reading progress across all grade levels.
- Tracks student points earned.
- Tracks books read over time.
- Identifies areas of concern.
- When printing book labels, searching by ISBN is not an available function.
- The user interface does not allow for the misspellings of young children, and provides a "did you mean?" feature.
February 19, 2019
Great Product with a Great Price Tag
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.
December 11, 2018
Building-Wide AR
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use AR for our school-wide reading and incentive program. Students set a goal to work toward and read/test throughout the school year. We hold quarterly assemblies by grade level to recognize the accomplishments of students and to further encourage others. Students enjoy seeing their success and encourage each other to do their best. I enjoy being a part of the success of students using AR!
- Very helpful support staff.
- Staff listens to user concerns and adjusts accordingly.
- The program itself is very user-friendly
- Students are always looking for books to be added for tests!
October 11, 2017
Renaissance
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use STAR testing for math and reading in grades 5-8 and have found that it truly helps us identify those students that are struggling in those areas. This gives us the opportunity to focus some attention on those students and their weak areas before the STAAR test comes around for those kids, especially the 5th and 8th grades. Over the years, we have found that this program really helps us project who will be successful and those that need extra time and help before the state test rolls around.
- Accurate correlation to state testing standards
- Program is very user-friendly
- Support staff is always available to answer questions
- As an admin for our campus subscription, I would like to be able to see when and what adjustments teachers are making on student preferences.
- I wish the lexile levels would reflect true lexiles from STAAR testing rather than reflect the ATOS.
May 01, 2017
Success in Reading!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I honestly do not know what my class would do without Accelerated Reader. It keeps them motivated to read. But you have to follow the guidelines to make them successful readers with the program. The 30 minute suggested engaged silent reading time is a must! I've had other teachers tell me that don't have that time. My response is , "You don't have time to read in reading class?" My class has achieved over 5,000 AR points with an 89% average so far this year! We have used this program for several years, and my class has been advanced each year on test scores. We have point parties and celebrations each nine weeks! Thanks again for creating such a wonderful program!
- Points for each test taken
- Motivation for reading
- Teacher created tests
- Create AR tests for the books from Reading A-Z!