Renaissance Learning Assessments Receive Highest-Possible Ratings From the National Center on RTI

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Learning (NASDAQ: RLRN), a leading provider of technology-based school improvement and student assessment programs, announced today that the company's STAR Reading and STAR Math student assessments have again been evaluated by the National Center on Response to Intervention (NCRTI) and have received the highest-possible scores in all the screening categories. This follows last April's announcement by the company of their STAR assessments receiving the highest-possible scores for progress monitoring, as well as Accelerated Math and MathFacts in a Flash software receiving top ratings as progress monitoring mastery measures.

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STAR Reading and STAR Math are the only assessments to have the highest-possible scores on both the screening and progress monitoring lists of the National Center on Response to Intervention. "We're thrilled that our reading and math assessments have been rated so highly by the NCRTI," said Glenn R. James, Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Learning. "This is a great validation of our efforts to accelerate learning by providing our school and district customers with a comprehensive K–12 assessment suite serving multiple needs."

The National Center on Response to Intervention, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, evaluates the scientific rigor of the research for commercially available progress monitoring tools for use with Response to Intervention (RTI). The Center helps educators identify credible and reliable evidence to make informed decisions about scientifically based tools for use within an RTI framework. The Screening and Progress Monitoring Tools Charts can be found on the NCRTI website at www.rti4success.org.  

"Students using our STAR assessments completed more than 27 million tests in school year 2010–2011," said James. "That's a substantial increase from the 19 million tests taken the previous year—a good sign that our assessments are helping more and more teachers and administrators." The company's suite of STAR assessments is used by more than 43,000 schools, and provides screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic assessment results in as little as 15 minutes per student. Each is completely computer-administered and requires little administration time to achieve reliable data. Assessments may be repeated frequently throughout the year for screening and progress monitoring at no additional cost.

About Renaissance Learning, Inc.

Renaissance Learning, Inc. is a leading provider of technology-based school improvement and student assessment programs for K12 schools. Adopted by approximately 70,000 schools, Renaissance Learning's tools provide daily formative assessment and periodic progress-monitoring technology to enhance core curriculum, support differentiated instruction, and personalize practice in reading, writing and math. Renaissance Learning products and school improvement programs help educators make the practice component of their existing curriculum more effective by providing tools to personalize practice and easily manage the daily activities for students of all levels. As a result, teachers using Renaissance Learning products and programs accelerate learning, get more satisfaction from teaching, and help students achieve higher test scores on state and national tests. Renaissance Learning has seven U.S. locations and subsidiaries in Canada and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE Renaissance Learning, Inc.