The Pathway to Accelerated Reader™ Classroom Certification

Renaissance Place™ Hosted Platform

Moving toward certification as a classroom guides you to outstanding outcomes in students’ reading achievement.

Across the country, Renaissance Learning certified educators are making a real and measurable difference in students’ lives. Educators who take this pathway to certification each school year share an exciting journey with students. This journey leads to better readers and significantly improved outcomes at all grade levels.

Certification is a pathway of measurable progress that empowers you to use data to identify, monitor, and accelerate students’ reading achievement. As you know, implementing programs and instructional strategies with fidelity is the key to the success of any Response to Intervention (RTI) approach. Fidelity of implementation is also the key to moving students forward toward Common Core standards. Certification is a built-in tool for achieving this fidelity in a way that honors your work, celebrates students’ efforts, and assures the highest acceleration of learning when using our programs.

This guide walks you through the steps to Model Classroom Certification and continues the pathway to Master Classroom Certification. Begin your journey to certification anytime in the school year, although the earlier you begin, the farther you can take your students.

Below are a few things to watch for:• Students can’t answer your question about the

book he or she is reading

• If students score below 80% on a single Reading Practice Quiz

• If student’s overall average percent correct drops below 85%

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do staff and students know the ZPD range?

• Are students being provided with enough scheduled time for read to, read with, and read independent reading practice?

• Are students being guided to the appropriate books?

• Do students understand the importance of good quiz taking strategies?

• Are students rushing when reading the book or when taking the quiz?

• Am I checking in with students daily to identify those who are having trouble?

• Am I conferencing with students after quizzing?

Keeping with our mission to accelerate learning for all students of all ability levels including all types of learners such as; Special Education, English Language learners, LD/Resource, Intervention, etc., will need to meet the necessary Model and Master Criteria.

Renaissance Learning offers research-based software to target student’s individual needs by:

• Personalizing practice by guiding students to appropriate books

• Provides reports to monitor and review student’s daily readingpractice and quizzing activity

Thus, by providing educators with the means to differentiate student’s reading practice, you will want to ensure 90% of the students in the class are meeting the criteria when submittng the Diagnostic Report for Reading Model and Master Classroom Certification.

THE PATHWAY TO CERTIFICATION STARTS WITH YOU

When you achieve Model Classroom Certification, you will receive:Awards & Discounts

• Model Classroom Certificate.

• Model Educator T-shirt. (Colors and designs vary.)

• Model Classroom Pennant.

• Vouchers redeemable for: − Remote Professional Development. − Model Student T-shirts. − 15% off certification items. − Capstone rewards.

Recognition • A downloadable press release template and

tips for sharing your certification achievement with local media.

• A listing in the Renaissance™ Certification Honor Roll at: www.renlearn.com/training/certification/honorroll.aspx.

• Special opportunities to participate in the Renaissance Learning Extraordinary Educator Program.

TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TO ACCELERATED READER™ MODEL CLASSROOM

Accelerated Reader Model ClassroomModel Classroom is the first level of Accelerated Reader Certification. This certification level identifies you as a Model Educator and recognizes your ability to help students focus on the common goal of becoming better readers.

Criteria for Model Classroom Certification• Engaged Time: Class average a minimum of

20 minutes daily.

• Comprehension: 90% of students average at or above 85% on Accelerated Reader Quizzes.

• Independent Reading: Class of established readers (3rd grade and up) maintain at least 80% of points earned from independent reading practice, rather than “read to” or “read with” practice.

What to SubmitOnce you have met the Model Classroom Criteria, submit the following documents to Renaissance Learning™.

• Model/Master Classroom Application. (Available at www.renlearn.com/training/certification.)

• Accelerated Reader Diagnostic Report. (Customize reporting period to reflect a minimum of 12 weeks.)

(Submit paperwork anytime between Sept. 1 and June 30.)

When you achieve Master Classroom Certification, you will receive:Awards & Discounts

• Master Classroom Certificate.

• Master Educator T-shirt. (Colors and designs vary.)

• Master Classroom Pennant.

• Vouchers redeemable for: − Remote Professional Development. − Master Student T-shirts. − 15% off certification items. − Capstone rewards.

Recognition • A downloadable press release template and tips

for sharing your certification achievement with local media.

• A listing in the Renaissance Certification Honor Roll at: www.renlearn.com/training/certification/honorroll.aspx.

• Special opportunities to participate in the Renaissance Learning Extraordinary Educator Program.

THE PATHWAY CONTINUES TO MASTER CLASSROOM CERTIFICATION

Please return application and all appropriate paperwork to:Mailing AddressAttn: Certification DepartmentRenaissance Learning, P.O. Box 8036Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8036

Fax Number(877) 261-6132

Emailmodel.classroom@renlearn.com

What’s next? Master Classroom Certification is not the end of the certification process. Many educators advance even further to achieve Model School and Master School Certification. For more information, visit www.renlearn.com/training/certification.

Don’t forget to certify for Model and Master Classroom again next school year and share the pathway to success.

After you receive Model Classroom Certification, don’t stop. Take the next step with your students and continue moving forward to Master Classroom Certification.

This higher goal helps you keep students engaged and motivated as you work together to achieve Master Classroom status.

Accelerated Reader Master ClassroomMaster Classroom is the next step on the pathway of Certification. This level identifies you as a Master Educator and recognizes your ability to dramatically improve students’ reading achievement. Begin your journey toward Master Classroom Certification anytime in the school year after you’ve achieved Model Educator status.

Criteria for Master Classroom Certification• Engaged Time: Class average a minimum of

25 minutes daily.

• Comprehension: 90% of students average at or above 85% on Accelerated Reader Quizzes.

• Independent Reading: Class of established readers (3rd grade and up) maintain at least 80% of points earned from independent reading practice, rather than “read to” or “read with” practice.

What to SubmitOnce you have met the Master Classroom Criteria, submit the following documents to Renaissance Learning.

• Model/Master Classroom Application. (Available at www.renlearn.com/training/certification.)

• Accelerated Reader Diagnostic Report. (Customize reporting period to refelct a minimum of 18 weeks.)

(Submit paperwork anytime between Sept. 1 and June 30.)

Accelerated Reader™ Diagnostic Reports for Model and Master Classroom

Model report criteria:

Master report criteria:

Comprehension 90% of students

average at or above 85% on AR Quizzes.

Engaged Time Class average a

minimum of 20 minutes.

Independent Reading Students in grades 3 and up are reading 80% independently.

Comprehension 90% of students

average at or above 85% on AR Quizzes.

Engaged Time Class average a

minimum of 25 minutes.

Independent Reading Students in grades 3 and up are reading 80% independently.

Renaissance Learning P.O. Box 8036 Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8036 (800) 338-4204 www.renlearn.com

All logos, designs, and brand names for Renaissance Learning’s products and services, including but not limited to Accelerated Reader, Renaissance, Renaissance Learning, and Renaissance Place are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc., and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries.

© 2013 Renaissance Learning, Inc. L2800.0813.RN.1.5M

R55410

www.renlearn.com/training/certification

The Pathway to Certification is a shared journey that leads to success.

Educator Certification is professional recognition you can achieve by adher-ing to best practices and focusing student energies on achieving person-alized as well as class goals. Educator Certification, along with professional development, helps ensure fidelity of implementation.

Model Classroom is the first level of certification for an individual class-room. Master Classroom recognizes your ability to dramatically improve your students’ reading achievement.

Begin your journey today!