Program Information

Developer and contact

Developed by Judi and Terry Paul, Accelerated Reader^™ is distributed by Renaissance Learning, Inc. Address: PO Box 8036, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8036. Email: answers@renlearn.com. Web: http://www.renlearn.com/ar/. Telephone: (800) 338-4204.

Scope of use

The Accelerated Reader^™ software prototype was created in 1984. In 1992, research began to focus on best practices related to Accelerated Reader^™. These efforts led to the development of the Accelerated Reader^™ Best Classroom Practices (formerly called Reading Renaissance), first introduced to educators in 1996 through professional development seminars. According to the developers, more than 63,000 schools nationwide are using Accelerated Reader^™ and Renaissance Learning’s other reading programs in a wide variety of academic settings.⁵

Teaching

The recommended use of Accelerated Reader^™ involves a dedicated 30- to 60-minute block of time for reading practice. Depending on the age and skill levels of the students, three activities may occur during a reading block: (1) reading texts to a child, (2) reading texts to a child using a paired-reading technique, or (3) independent reading by the child. As children develop decoding skills, they transition to guided independent reading. Initially, students take a norm-referenced, standardized measure of general reading achievement to determine their independent reading level. Then, students select books within a recommended readability range to read independently. After reading each book, students take a comprehension quiz and earn points based on the number of correct responses, the length of the book, and the readability level of the book. Teachers use data from the quizzes to monitor student progress, adjust students’ reading ranges, or identify students who may need more reading assistance. Teachers use points to set individual student goals for the quantity and quality of student reading practice and to monitor each student’s progress. Accumulation of points is intended to motivate student learning; teachers also may choose to implement a system of rewards, although Renaissance Learning does not recommend or require the use of extrinsic rewards.

Cost

The school version of Accelerated Reader^™ software can be ordered for $4 a student per year with a one-time school fee of $1,599. This package includes Live Chat Support, access to the Renaissance Training Center, and two Getting Started Web Seminars. A package including professional development (AR 7.7 Enterprise Real Time Mentors Package) can be ordered for a one-time school fee of $2,899 and a $4 per student annual fee. This package includes six hours of web seminars, and three staff members have unlimited access to a Renaissance Coach for six months. If professional development is not purchased as part of a package (for example, the Real Time Mentors Package), it is available at an additional cost and can be customized in terms of length and mode of delivery (onsite, telephone/online, regional seminars). The average annual cost of full implementation, which may vary depending on school size and components implemented, ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 per school year.⁶