Beanstack vs. Accelerated Reader

Instead of quizzes, Beanstack employs proven gamification principles and modern reading integrity tools to motivate readers. Discover why schools and districts nationwide chose Beanstack to grow reading culture and build strong independent reading habits.

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Why Do Your Students Read?

Is it out of obligation or the joy of reading? We're here to empower educators to foster a love for reading through a platform that celebrates every page turn and encourages lifelong readers.

  • Encourage Free-choice and Independent Reading

    Quizzing platforms often limit what students can choose to read based on their reading level and/or the availability of quizzes. When students are given free choice in their independent reading, they are likelier to finish the book and develop a genuine love for reading, regardless of grade level, whether in elementary, middle, or high school.

  • Build Habits Using Gamification

    Gamification turns reading into an exciting, rewarding experience, making it a habit students eagerly look forward to. By incorporating elements like badges, reading streaks, and achievements, even struggling readers and reluctant readers are motivated to keep reading and build consistent habits that lead to long-term success.

  • Avoid Testing Fatigue

    The time students spend taking assessments is ever-increasing. Adding an additional layer of testing to students’ reading can diminish their love for reading, especially with AR programs. By shifting the focus to independent reading and free choice, students discover a passion for books without the pressure of assessments and comprehension quizzes.

Features That Drive Independent Reading

Beanstack provides a powerful alternative to AR by using gamification to reward and encourage independent reading, free from restrictive levels. With Beanstack, teachers can easily track student's reading progress without the stress of Accelerated Reader quizzes, fostering a more enjoyable and effective reading experience.

See how Beanstack compares to Accelerated Reader

What Clients Are Saying

“Our previous program, Accelerated Reader, lacked any way to motivate students to read independently … What inspired me about Beanstack was the ability to get to the root cause of low reading motivation. Here was a platform with features designed to increase motivation by getting students excited to read.”
Jessica Juarez Robstown Independent School District, Texas
“Beanstack creates instant data that can be shared with my administration about how much and when students are reading. It’s easy to view this data alongside testing data to make school improvements in the area of reading achievement.”
Jayme Batiste Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia
“The students at my campus love this program. They do not feel the pressure of having to read and test just to get points. They also love the fact that even if they may not like the book, as they continue reading and turn that book in to get another, their minutes read still count.”
School Librarian Pharr-Suan Juan Alamo Independent School District, Texas

A Smarter Path to Positive Results

Choosing the right platform for reading motivation can be tough. You need a solution that balances students' diverse needs with educators' time constraints—one that’s both effective and easy to implement. See how Beanstack delivers on both fronts.

Unlike Accelerated Reader, which focuses solely on individual student progress through AR quizzes, Beanstack takes a holistic approach to reading by engaging the entire school community. From students and teachers to read-aloud and competitions, Beanstack motivates readers from all angles without comprehension tests.

Our platform offers real-time data and insights, allowing educators to recognize and reward readers instantly, fostering a more encouraging reading environment. Additionally, with our Lexile Insights, teachers can gain important information about the Lexile level of their students' reading choices.

Beanstack is highly customizable, accommodating the unique needs of your community. You can create custom challenges, track various reading activities, and set goals that align with your educational objectives to guide students in their reading journey, whether in the classroom or the school library.

Beanstack promotes equity in reading by allowing all students to participate and succeed, regardless of their reading level or background. This inclusive approach helps build a more supportive and engaged reading community based on equal opportunity for success.

Beanstack includes a proprietary system that encourages students to report their reading honestly through digital reading logs. These tools use data to provide behind-the-scenes insights while giving flexible controls to hold students accountable.

We offer robust support and resources to ensure a smooth implementation and ongoing success. Our team is dedicated to helping you maximize the benefits of Beanstack.

See Our Real-World Reading Results

Beanstack is trusted by over 6,000 school buildings and 180 school districts nationwide. Explore a few of their stories and see the positive impact they’re experiencing.

Robstown Independent School District

Leaders in this Texas district, with 100% minority enrollment across seven schools, shifted from a point-based system to a free-choice reading model to transform their reading culture.

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Charleston County School District

In 2022, South Carolina’s second-largest school system transitioned from Accelerated Reader to Beanstack to achieve its district-wide reading initiative of 15 million minutes.

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Lamar Consolidated Independent School District

District administrators for the 42,000 students in Texas adopted a motivational, choice-based reading model, leading to a significant district-wide boost in student reading outcomes.

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Elevate Student Reading Engagement

Discover how fostering a love for reading with engaging features builds lifelong habits, improves reading skills, and enriches students' learning.

Make the Switch

Looking to develop independent reading habits without quizzes? Make the switch from an Accelerated Reader program to Beanstack today! Contact us to learn how Beanstack can benefit your students and help them become lifelong readers.

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