Renaissance Accelerated Reader provides unparalleled insight into learners’ independent reading practices, research-proven goal setting tools, activities that span a variety of skills and text types, and a worldwide community of support. Students enjoy endless reading choices. 

Website: https://www.renaissance.com/products/practice/accelerated-reader-360/

What Users Love About the App

“I like that I can do the STAR assessment to see what level students are at and their reading range. I like the AR testing tool to help students test their comprehension and reach their 40 book club challenge goal.”

“I like best that this is a quick and easy way for me to test that students are actually reading the books and listening when I read to the class.”

“I love how AR helps students and teachers keep track of reading. It really motivated the children to challenge themselves and improve their reading scores. The reports help teachers pinpoint where individual students are struggling in their independent reading in order to provide intervention in a timely manner.”

“Accelerated Reader really works. There is a lot of data stating that the product causes hatred of reading. But if the product is used as directed and recommended, it helps students BUILD a love of reading and gain knowledge as they continue to grow their reading comprehension skills.”

“I love that the student can take a comprehension or vocabulary test after they read a book. It is a great, quick assessment that shows comprehension of the story and vocabulary within the story. I also like that goal can be set on the number of minutes read each day along with the number of points earned. At my school, we then have point clubs that have prizes for the students when they reach different levels of points. That is a great motivator for the students to keep reading.”

What Users Dislike About the App

“I do wish that tests for newer books would be available sooner. You have the ability to make a test but I buy so many new books that it is nearly impossible for me to read them for myself and then sit down to make a test for all of them.”

“The cost of the product is my main dislike. I feel it is expensive for schools to implement on a yearly basis. As a librarian, I would gladly take this cost to buy books and supplies over Accelerated Reader, but I understand the reasoning for a district to purchase it. My other dislike is the sheer number of educators that do not use this product as instructed. This is not the fault of Accelerated Reader, but the schools using it simply for “points” and reaching goals.”

“Accountability is a positive, but some young students do not have the maturity to understand why they should not test until ready. Teaching the “why” of reading books more than once can be a bit of a battle. I don’t like that books that failed in a previous grade level can’t be retested in the next grade. I don’t like that I can’t remove a bad test score. I want to teach my students to develop better skills. I do not want a system that discourages them.”

“I don’t know how it would work, but I wish there was an easier way to get the quiz numbers. Young children often don’t type in the book title correctly, and there are many books with the same title. This leads to confusion. Kids are much better at correctly typing the quiz numbers.”

“The downside of Accelerated Reader is that the reading quiz has to be in the system to take the test. However, they have a very large collection.”