Accelerated Reader Classroom Certification How-To Guide

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1 Accelerated Reader Classroom Certification How-To Guide Desktop and non-hosted Renaissance Place customers. Across the country, Certified Reading Educators are making a real and measurable difference in their classrooms and schools. No matter which grades you teach, Certification is a great way to focus your students energy and help them achieve significant reading improvement. By applying for Accelerated Reader Classroom Certification, you re taking the first step on a path proven to help all your students succeed. Educators are increasingly aware of the importance of ensuring that the programs and instructional strategies they choose are implemented with fidelity. Indeed, fidelity of implementation is a key consideration for any approach to Response to Intervention (RTI). Renaissance Certification is a built-in tool for achieving fidelity in a way that honors the work of teachers and assures the highest acceleration of learning when using our products. This Certification How-To Guide gives you Criteria and What To Submit checklists for achieving Accelerated Reader Classroom Certification. As you work toward Certification, we encourage you to contact other Certified Reading Educators in your area for advice and support. You can find these educators listed in the Renaissance Certification Honor Roll, which is available online at certification/honorroll.aspx. How To Achieve Renaissance Certification By following these steps and by using Accelerated Reader Best Practices to guide students to reading success, you ll join an elite group of educators who will receive Renaissance Certification this school year. 1 2 Meet the Certification Criteria Each Certification lists specific criteria to meet for either 12 weeks or 18 weeks. Once you ve met these criteria, mail the required documentation to the address on the back of this brochure or fax it to (877) Enjoy the Benefits of Certification! Certified Renaissance Educators receive a benefits package that includes awards, discounts, and professional recognition. For information on how to apply as a Renaissance Place Real Time customer, visit: certification. Best wishes to you and your students!

2 Sample Diagnostic Report Reading Practice* Accelerated Reader Model Classroom report Use the Diagnostic Report to monitor progress and identify struggling students. Student with average below 90% (30-minute criteria). Report covers a 12-week period. Median of points earned. At-risk percent. No more than 10% of class scoring below 90% on quizzes. Shows percent of reading that is independent practice. *Please Read: This report reflects data using 30-minute criteria.

3 Model Classroom Model Classroom is the first level of Accelerated Reader Certification for an individual classroom. This certification level identifies you as a Model Educator and recognizes your ability to help students focus on a common goal becoming better readers. You can achieve Model Classroom Certification in just 12 weeks, and you can begin at any time. ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE CLASSROOM CRITERIA To certify for Model Classroom, you must maintain the following criteria in at least one classroom for any 12-week period. of students at risk (low average Classes 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. Additionally, choose one of these two Minutes criteria: 30-Minute Criteria Elementary and middle school: achieve 30 minutes of reading practice daily for 12 weeks. than 90% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. 60-Minute Criteria 60 minutes (elementary school) or 45 minutes (middle school) of reading practice daily for 12 weeks. than 85% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. SECONDARY CLASSROOM CRITERIA Achieve 20 minutes of reading practice daily. Classes using block scheduling should use weekly point goals multiplied by the number of weeks in your block schedule to figure the median point goal. than 90% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. of students at risk (low average Maintain at least 80% of points from independent reading practice. Benefits As you work toward Model Classroom Certification... You will find more joy in teaching as you build excitement for learning and lead students to greater success. Your students will discover that learning is fun as they work together to reach challenging goals. Your school will become a center for learning excitement as students become self-motivated! When you achieve Model Classroom Certification, you will receive... Awards: Model Classroom certificate. Model Educator t-shirt. Colors and designs may vary. Model Classroom pennant. Discounts: Voucher redeemable for Model Student t-shirts. 15% off voucher redeemable for special certification items. Remote Professional Development voucher. 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: Special opportunities to participate in Renaissance conferences and other programs. What To Submit Once you have maintained the Model Classroom criteria, submit the following documents to Renaissance Learning. (See back cover for fax number and mailing address.) 1. Accelerated Reader Model Classroom Application. 2. Qualifying 12-week Diagnostic Report. 3. STAR Reading Summary Report or STAR Early Literacy Summary Report from the first STAR test of the year. Submit paperwork between Sept. 1, 2012 June 30, What s Next? Master Classroom (see next section) Remember to certify for Model Classroom again next year!

4 Master Classroom Master Classroom is the highest level of Accelerated Reader Certification for an individual classroom. This certification level identifies you as a Master Educator and recognizes your ability to dramatically improve your students reading achievement. You can achieve Master Classroom Certification in just 18 weeks, and you can begin at any time. ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE CLASSROOM CRITERIA To certify for Master Classroom, you must maintain the following criteria in at least one classroom or any 18-week period. Obtain Model Classroom status. of students at risk (low average Classes 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. Classes of established readers, set and monitor goals. For emergent readers, work toward achieving these goals by the end of the school year: Kindergarten at least 10% of students certified as Independent Readers. Grade 1 at least 90% of students certified as Independent Readers. Established readers as a group show improvement in their Percentile Rank and Normal Curve Equivalent between pre- and post-tests of STAR Reading tests taken at least 18 weeks apart. Emergent readers as a group show improvement in their Scaled Score between pre- and post-tests of STAR Early Literacy or other standardized tests taken at least 18 weeks apart. Additionally, choose one of these two Minutes criteria: 30-Minute Criteria Elementary and Middle School achieve 30 minutes of reading practice daily for 18 weeks. than 90% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. 60-Minute Criteria 60 minutes (elementary school) or 45 minutes (middle school) of reading practice daily for 18 weeks. than 85% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. SECONDARY CLASSROOM CRITERIA Obtain Model Classroom status. Achieve 20 minutes of reading practice daily. Classes using block scheduling should use weekly point goals multiplied by the number of weeks in your block schedule to figure the median point goal. than 90% correct on Reading Practice Quizzes. of students at risk (low average Maintain at least 80% of points from independent reading practice. Established readers as a group show improvement in their Percentile Rank and Normal Curve Equivalent between pre- and post-tests of STAR Reading tests taken at least 18 weeks apart. What To Submit Once you have maintained the Master Classroom criteria, submit the following documents to Renaissance Learning. (See back cover for fax number and mailing address.) 1. Accelerated Reader/Accelerated Math Master Classroom Application. 2. Qualifying 18-week Diagnostic Report. 3. STAR Reading Growth Report (established readers) or STAR Early Literacy (emergent readers) Growth Report for pre- and post-tests taken at least 18 weeks apart. Submit paperwork between Sept. 1, 2012 June 30, Benefits As you work toward Master Classroom Certification... You will continue building excitement for learning and lead students to great success. Your students will become passionate learners who take pride in achieving challenging academic goals. Your classroom will sizzle with excitement as your students rally around you to reach the highest level of Renaissance achievement. When you achieve Master Classroom Certification, you will receive... Awards: Master Classroom certificate. Master Educator t-shirt. Colors and designs may vary. Master Classroom pennant. Discounts: Voucher redeemable for Master Student t-shirts. 15% off voucher redeemable for special certification items. Remote Professional Development voucher. 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: Special opportunities to participate in Renaissance conferences and other programs. What s Next? Model School: Visit our website at training/certification or call (800) Remember to certify for Master Classroom again next year!

5 Certification Point Goal Charts Goal-Setting Chart for Established Readers Goal-Setting Chart for Emergent Readers Note: If your average grade equivalent is between levels, round to the nearest grade equivalent on the chart. (For example, if your class s average grade equivalent is 3.2, round down to 3.0 and if your class s average is 3.3, round up to 3.5.)

6 Accelerated Reader Classroom Certification Educator Certification is professional recognition you can achieve by adhering to best practices and focusing student energies on achieving personalized 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 classroom. Master Classroom recognizes your ability to dramatically improve your students reading achievement. Begin your journey today! Where To Send Your Enrollment Form: Mailing Address Attn: Certification Department Renaissance Learning P.O. Box 8036 Wisconsin Rapids, WI Fax Number (877) Renaissance Learning P.O. Box 8036 Wisconsin Rapids, WI (800) AR, Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Reader Best Practices, Renaissance, Renaissance Place Real Time, Renaissance Learning, STAR Early Literacy, and STAR Reading are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc., and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries. Perma-Bound is a registered trademark of Hertzberg-New Method, Inc. L NS.500 R Renaissance Learning, Inc.