EXHIBIT 32.1

                         CERTIFICATION OF ANNUAL 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 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: March 5, 2004


                                      /s/ John R. Hickey
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Name: John R. Hickey
                                      Title: President, 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 SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.