Renaissance Learning
Encyclopedia : R : RE : REN : Renaissance Learning
Renaissance Learning Inc. (RLI) is an educational software and hardware company, publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol RLRN.[CNN profile] of RLRN It is an international company, headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, USA, with offices in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom.
The company creates educational software and hardware for K-12 schools (primary and secondary), and over 67,000 schools in the USA use their software.[Yahoo! Finance] profile of Renaissance Learning, Inc.[Northwest Regional Education Laboratory] description of the "School Renaissance" system. The software includes applications for reading, math, language acquisition, and early literacy. Most of the software are progress-monitoring tools of the practice of various skills (e.g., math practice).[National Center for Student Progress Monitoring] webpage Several of the software programs have been localized to various countries (e.g. UK, Australia, Canada, Germany).[Math research in Germany] (PDF) With the recent acquisition of AlphaSmart and the release of the Renaissance Classroom Response System, the company now provides hardware to assist with teaching, scoring tests, and other educational purposes.
History
Accelerated Reader, the company's flagship product, was created in 1985 by Judith (Judi) Paul. Judith and Terrance (Terry) Paul founded the company in 1986 under the name "Advantage Learning Systems" (ALS). The company's name changed to the current "Renaissance Learning, Inc." (RLI) in 1997. The couple own about 75% of RLI.
Subsidiaries
- AlphaSmart
- Humanities Software, Inc.
- Renaissance Learning UK Ltd.[Information] regarding the UK division
- Renaissance Corporate Services
Assessment philosophy
Renaissance Learning, Inc. believes that there are three types of progress-monitoring assessments, listed below in "Tiers". Most of the software created by the company fits into these three "Tiers." The company's pyramidal logo (see graphic) is a metaphor for the purpose and use of its software.
Tier 1: Daily Progress Monitoring
"Tier 1" assessments are daily progress-monitoring assessments. This type of software is designed to monitor skills practice and provide feedback on the impact of instruction. This software provides the most information, often on a daily basis; thus, the associated tier is larger than the other tiers. For example, Accelerated Reader monitors reading practice, and provides information concerning how well students are reading (like reading rates or amount of reading). Tier 1 software include Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, Accelerated Vocabulary, Accelerated Grammar & Spelling,* and Accelerated Writer.*
Tier 2: Periodic Progress Monitoring
"Tier 2" assessments are periodic progress-monitoring assessments. This type of software is designed to provide information about student achievement two to ten times per year with at least monthly intervals. Basically, these assessments fit in between daily and high-stakes annual tests (Tier 3). Tier 2 software include STAR Reading, STAR Math, and STAR Early Literacy. (See STAR (software) for an overview of the STAR Assessments.)
Tier 3: Annual High-Stakes Tests
"Tier 3" assessments are high-stakes assessments like state tests. The company provides a Tier 3-type assessment called AssessmentMaster,* but Tier 3 assessment usually appear in the form of state tests (not provided by RLI).
Software platforms
Desktop software
Desktop versions of Renaissance Learning software were designed to run in client-server or standalone environments, using Renaissance Learning proprietary databases, on Macintosh, Windows or Novell networks, to Macintosh or Windows clients. In the case of the client-server environment, the database was installed onto a server, and the client software was installed on any and all machines required to access the database. For a standalone installation, database and client software resided on the same computer. In these older software versions, the databases consisted of one unified student list, per licensed school building, with classroom and teacher assignments unique to each program, but easily duplicated between their software packages, to minimize redundant data entry. Thus for example, STAR Reading, STAR Early Literacy and Accelerated Reader could all use one master list of students, with customized classroom organization per program. Further, Accelerated Reader quizzes and Accelerated Math libraries, also licensed to a single school building, could be installed into their respective databases (in either the stand-alone or network setups).Client-server software
Renaissance Place, a newer, web-based system, runs on a Windows server platform, using SQL Server for the database, and Internet Information Services (IIS) to deliver a front end to any computer, on any platform, with only a web browser required to be installed. Renaissance Place hosts all three types of assessment created by Renaissance Learning. Once a school purchases the software, students, teachers, and administrators can access the purchased software online by entering a user ID and password.Renaissance Place provides a number of benefits over the traditional desktop versions. Instead of installing software on each computer, students, teachers, and administrators can access all of the purchased software in one place. Teachers and administrators can access reports and data from any computer, and data is consolidated in one area. Just as with the client-server model for the company's older desktop versions, the Accelerated Reader quizzes of any type and Accelerated Math libraries are all still installed to the server, as these are still licensed to individual school buildings. Additionally, Renaissance Learning offers to host the school's data for a fee, reducing the time required of the school's technical specialist for maintaining a server. Renaissance Place versions of Renaissance Learning's software are compliant with the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF).
Reading software
Reading software logo
Accelerated Reader, the company's flagship software created in 1985 and defined as "reading management software," is intended to help "teachers guide students' independent reading practice and motivate students to read more books."Renaissance Learning. (2006). Daily and periodic progress-monitoring assessment systems. Wisconsin Rapids: Author. (This is a new advertising pamphlet.) Essentially, "AR" is an assessment that primarily determines whether a student has read a book, with more efficiency, speed, and accuracy than a book report because it is computer-scored. The software provides additional information to teachers regarding reading rates, amount of reading, and other variables related to reading. In May 2006, the company announced Accelerated Reader Enterprise positioned for use for entire school districts. This version offers the entire library of quizzes.[Accelerated Reader Enterprise] information on PDF. See Accelerated Reader for more details.
STAR Reading
STAR Reading and STAR Early Literacy logo
STAR Reading is a computer-adaptive reading test and database. It assesses students' reading levels and provides norm-referenced reading scores for students in grades 1 through 12.
STAR Early Literacy
STAR Early Literacy, a computer-adaptive diagnostic assessment, is an assessment of early literacy skills of students in grades Pre-K through 3. It assesses phonemic awareness, phonics, and other readiness and literacy skills. Additionally, it identifies specific strengths and weaknesses in these skills.English in a Flash
English in a Flash is a language acquisition tool for grades K through 12 intended to be used with English Language Learners (ELLs) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students. It helps students build vocabulary and grammar.
Read Now With Power Up!
Read Now With Power Up! is a reading intervention program for students in grades 5 through 9. It combines Steck Vaughn's Power Up! with Read Now (apparently no longer published by itself).[Reading software] webpage lacks "Read Now" alone.[[Citing sources citation needed]] It features lessons, activities, and reading materials that are intended to motivate students and provide teachers with information to address individual needs.Math software
Math software logo
Accelerated Math, a "math management program for grade 1 through calculus," is designed to work with any curriculum or textbook. It generates "personalized math assignments at each student's level," and it scores the assignements via scanner. Additionally, it provides reports and record-keeping functions to monitor student progress and address individual needs. In May 2006, the company announced Accelerated Math Enterprise positioned for use for entire school districts. This version offers the entire math library, from first grade math to calculus.Accelerated Math Enterprise
] information on PDF. See Accelerated Math for more details.
STAR Math
STAR Math, a computer adaptive math test and database, provides norm-referenced math scores for students in grades 1 through 12. Like other software provided by the company, it provides data regarding individual progress.
MathFacts in a Flash
MathFacts in a Flash is software intended to enhance the mastery of computational fluency, and has been likened to math flash cards on a computer.[[Citing sources citation needed]] It provides practice with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other math facts. It allows students to work at their own pace and provides immediate feedback on areas of difficulty. It includes timed tests and reports of individual progress.Other software
- Renaissance Place (see above)
- Accelerated Vocabulary
- Fluent Reader
Discontinued software
The following software were discontinued as of May 2006:- Accelerated Writer
- Accelerated Grammar & Spelling
- AssessmentMaster (formerly StandardsMaster)
Hardware
Renaissance Learning recently began providing educational hardware with the acquisition of AlphaSmart in 2005. For information on the AlphaSmart product line, see the AlphaSmart page. The company has recently created the Renaissance Classroom Response System (CRS), which is intended to aid classroom participation and assessment. Each student uses a wireless handheld device that looks like a cross between a cell phone and a calculator. The device has a small LCD screen with a number of buttons, including a phone-type number pad, ABCDE voting buttons, True/False buttons, and other miscellaneous buttons.[Image of the CRS] Using wireless technology, teachers can post questions and receive student responses without using paper-and-pencil quizzes or disruptive raise-your-hand techniques. The system can use built-in assessments or teacher-made assessments.[Classroom Response System] Homepage
Research
A number of independent agencies have found Renaissance Learning products to be technically sound. For example, the Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center (a government agency) ranked Renaissance Learning's comprehensive school reform model as third of 22 models.[CSRQ Webpage] See page 208. "Sharing Success," a project that is "publicly funded by the New York State Legislature and the Governor's Office to identify and disseminate successful educational programs and practices statewide,"[SharingSuccess.org] has favorably reviewed the research on Renaissance Learning's products.[SharingSuccess.org Research Review] For more information on the scientific research that supports RLI's products, see the company's research webpage[RLI Research Page] Find research studies on RLI products. or go to the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC).[ERIC] Go to Education Resources Information Center to find studies on RLI products.References
External links
- [Renaissance Learning, Inc.]
- [Renaissance Learning UK Ltd.], the United Kingdom website
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