Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance)

About the tool

SupplierThe company that makes and runs the tool.

Renaissance Learning

WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.

https://www.renaissance.com/privacy/

CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.

reading / assessment

Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.

yes

Your data

Processor or controllerA processor only uses data on your school’s instructions. A controller makes its own decisions about the data, which means your school has less say.

not stated

Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.

conflicting public info: older UK notices say US (Wisconsin, AWS US backups); a newer council notice lists AWS Ireland

Trains AI models on inputsWhether what you type (or upload) may be used to improve the supplier’s AI. “No” is what you want for anything about pupils or staff.

not stated

How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.

not stated

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.

https://www.renaissance.com/privacy/

Data processing agreement (DPA)The data processing agreement: the contract that sets out how the supplier must look after your school’s data.

not stated

Signs individual DPAs with schoolsWhether the supplier will sign a data agreement with your school specifically, rather than just standard online terms.

not stated

UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.

not stated

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.

not stated

Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.

Renaissance says its AI analyses de-identified data; confirm hosting region in your contract

Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.

partial

Sources

1. renaissance.comhttps://www.renaissance.com/privacy/
2. renaissance.comhttps://www.renaissance.com/blog/using-ai-responsibly-to-support-teaching-and-learning/
3. scotborders.gov.ukhttps://www.scotborders.gov.uk/schools-learning/privacy-notice-accelerated-reader-renaissance-learning

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

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Quick answers

Is Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) Grey (not enough published information to rate) for staff use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; 5 of 6 key fields not stated) and Grey (not enough published information to rate) for pupil use (Doesn’t say whether it trains on what you type; 5 of 6 key fields not stated). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-23. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) train on our data?

Not stated. We could not find a published statement from the supplier on whether Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) trains its AI on what users type.

Where is Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) data stored?

conflicting public info: older UK notices say US (Wisconsin, AWS US backups); a newer council notice lists AWS Ireland.

What age is Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance) for?

Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.

Is there a safer alternative to Accelerated Reader / Star (Renaissance)?

We have not yet found a better-rated tool with the same main use. Our tool page lists what to look for instead.

Generated only from the facts above. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.