Program Builds Reading Skills in Multicultural School

Australian Islamic College (AIC) Perth serves a rich, diverse community. Many students come from non-English speaking backgrounds and represent a wide range of cultural and linguistic heritages.

This diversity is a strength, but it also means literacy development is a key priority. Teachers focus on ensuring that every student - regardless of their starting point - can access the curriculum and develop strong reading and comprehension skills.

To that end AIC has rolled out Renaissance’s Star Reading, an adaptive online assessment that provides accurate, actionable data on each student’s reading ability.

At AIC, Renaissance tools work alongside the literacy curriculum. Star Reading assessments are administered at key points throughout the year to establish baselines and track growth. This data then informs the use of Accelerated Reader, where students work towards personalised reading goals, and myON gives them access to thousands of digital books matched to their reading level. Reading practice is built into the daily timetable, supported by library time and home reading.

Implementation is usually completed in days, with Australian-based education advisors working alongside school staff to ensure smooth integration. The local Renaissance team understands the Australian context and works closely with schools nationwide, providing hands-on guidance and support.

Teachers receive targeted professional learning - not to add workload, but to equip them with the skills to interpret data and personalise learning. No special qualifications are needed; rather, it’s about using the insights to make informed teaching decisions.

At AIC, teachers like Safia, a Year 5 teacher, use Star Reading each term to group students by ability and track their progress.

“Star helps me pinpoint where students are, and where they need to go next,” she says. “I can group them by Lexile levels and create tailored comprehension activities. It takes the guesswork out of planning and helps me support struggling readers without making them feel left behind.”

Safia notes that one of the biggest challenges she sees is in students’ comprehension.

“Students can decode words, but struggle to truly understand and engage with the text. That is where Accelerated Reader quizzes come in. They push students beyond surface reading, actively assessing their comprehension of the book they have just read, and making sure they are grasping the content.”

She has also integrated myON digital library into her rotations, giving students autonomy and access to thousands of books at their level.

“Because our library gets so much traffic, sometimes the physical books at the right level are gone. myON gives every student the chance to find something relevant, no matter what.” 

The results at AIC have been strong. As of July 2025, students have collectively read over 51 million words and are on track to hit 100 million words by the end of the year. Engagement with reading is healthy, and teachers have seen improvements in comprehension, reading confidence, and student motivation.

Data-driven insights are leading to measurable literacy and learning gains. AIC’s school libraries are vibrant hubs, with students recommending books to each other and marking reading milestones together.

AIC’s CEO Abdullah Khan had previously implemented Renaissance programs successfully in many schools worldwide, including in Qatar, and was familiar with their impact on student outcomes. When he joined AIC, Renaissance solutions were already in use, and he continued to champion and expand their role. The school has now been using Renaissance programs for over 10 years, embedding them as a central part of their literacy improvement strategy.

The program combines high-quality assessment, personalised learning, and consistent engagement. Star Reading gives teachers precise data; Accelerated Reader motivates students with achievable goals and ensures they aren’t just finishing a book and moving on. The quizzes that follow each completed book actively assess students’ comprehension - making sure they have understood and engaged with the text - before they progress to their next challenge. myON ensures they always have access to the right books for their level and interests. This model has been delivering results for more than 35 years in schools worldwide, adapting successfully to different education systems and cultural contexts.

Renaissance currently partners with over 1000 schools across Australia, spanning government, independent, faith-based, and specialist settings.

“We work closely with schools to ensure our solutions are tailored to their needs, whether that’s improving literacy outcomes, enhancing reading engagement, or using data to inform teaching.  We are now offering GL Education products as well, a broader suite of assessments and learning tools, giving schools a complete picture of student progress and potential,” says Renaissance Australia’s Kate McGrath.