EXHIBIT 32.1

                        CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT



         Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, the undersigned officer of Renaissance Learning, Inc. (the
"Company"), hereby certifies that, to the undersigned's knowledge:

         (1)   the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
               September 30, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the
               requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
               material respects, the financial condition and results of
               operations of the Company.


Dated: November 6, 2003


                                    /s/ John R. Hickey
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name: John R. Hickey
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT ACCOMPANIES THIS REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE FILED BY THE COMPANY
FOR PURPOSES OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.