However, this link can be broken, as many schools across the UK using Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader (AR) Advantage software, including the STAR Reading program, are proving.

One school that is notable for its success in raising literacy standards is Unity City Academy (UCA), which is situated in East Middlesbrough and serves a population where wide scale social deprivation is evident. Free School Meal entitlement is three times the national average at well over 50% and very few pupils (less than 1%) are from minority ethnic communities or speak English as an Additional Language.

Four years ago literacy levels at UCA were very low. Initial STAR Reading assessment revealed that an average of 80% of the pupils were reading at a level at least one year below their chronological age. Speaking, listening and writing skills were also extremely poor. To address these issues, AR was introduced to motivate pupils and encourage reading for pleasure, whilst regular STAR Reading baseline assessment measured reading age growth. Within the first two years of using the program the average reading age of pupils significantly increased in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, whilst KS4 attainment levels have consistently improved.

Over the last four years UCA has placed amongst the top 5% of "Most Improved Schools and Academies" and sits in the top 7% of schools nationally for CVA. Since the beginning of the 2010/11 academic year, pupils at the academy have read and quizzed over 14,500 books read almost 82,000,000 words.

 Dirk Foch, Managing Director, Renaissance Learning comments: "Reading is the one gift that every school should give every pupil - and it can be done easily and cost effectively. Every child deserves the chance to learn to read and develop a genuine passion for books - regardless of their home or academic background. Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader and STAR Reading software does not discriminate, but caters for pupils of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and ethnicities - offering personalised reading practice. If we are going to effectively tackle the literacy problems faced by pupils across the UK, not just those in England, without over-stretching budgets, then more schools need to follow the example set by Unity City Academy.”