A Randomized Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Accelerated Reader/Reading Renaissance Implementation on Reading Achievement in Grades 3 to 6

Multiple schools, Memphis, Tennessee (TN)

Abstract:

DETAILS: Location: Memphis, Tennessee; Design: Independent, experimental, peer-reviewed; Sample: 1,665 students and 76 teachers at 11 elementary schools; Measures: Star Early Literacy, Star Reading; Duration: 1 school year.

RESULTS: In this study, teachers at urban elementary schools were randomly assigned to use or not use Accelerated Reader. Star Early Literacy and Star Reading results showed significant gains and moderate to large effect sizes in grades K-2 and small to moderate effect sizes in grades 3-6. Eighty-three percent of the students in grades 3-6 were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Students with learning disabilities benefited most in classrooms with high-implementation of Accelerated Reader compared to those in low- or no-implementation classrooms.

PLEASE NOTE: The Summary of this peer-reviewed journal article: Nunnery, J. A., Ross, S. M., & McDonald, A. (2006). A randomized experimental evaluation of the impact of Accelerated Reader/Reading Renaissance implementation on reading achievement in grades 3 to 6. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 11(1), 1-18. is available online.

For a copy of the Full Article, email the Renaissance Research Department: research@renaissance.com.

The initial report upon which this article is based, Ross, S. M., Nunnery, J., & Goldfeder, E. (2004). A randomized experiment on the effects of Accelerated Reader/Reading Renaissance in an urban school district: Final evaluation report. Memphis, TN: University of Memphis, Center for Research in Educational Policy, is also available online.

Publication Date:
01/01/2006