This article explains how to log in to Sparx Reader using Single Sign-On (SSO) with Google or Microsoft accounts, and how to troubleshoot common SSO login issues.
How Single Sign-On works
For students
For students
Students can log in using their school Google or Microsoft account
No separate Sparx username/password is needed
The student must already exist in Sparx Reader (must appear in Student Manager)
The student's email address must already have been imported (visible on the student's profile in Student Manager)
For teachers
For teachers
Teachers must verify their email address after their first SSO login - they will be sent a verification link by email (students do not need to complete this step)
The teacher must already exist in Sparx Reader (must appear in Staff Manager)
The teacher's email address in Sparx Reader must match the email address associated with their Google or Microsoft account (visible on the teacher's profile in Staff Manager)
How SSO affects your login screens
How SSO affects your login screens
With both SSO and username/password login enabled for either teachers, students or both, your login screen will look like this:
With username/password login disabled, your login screen will look like this:
Common login problems and solutions
Email address mismatches
Email address mismatches
Your students may see an error message like this when they attempt to log in:
If the email address shown in the error message is incorrect:
This means the incorrect email address is stored in the student's SSO profile - please check all fields in the student's SSO page to update the incorrect address
If the email in the error message is correct:
Check that the email address in Sparx Student Manager matches the student's Google or Microsoft account in the school IT system
If it is incorrect in Sparx Reader, you'll need to update the email address in the MIS
Authorisation issues
Authorisation issues
Contact your IT team if you see authorisation messages.
Microsoft users: Your school's Azure administrator needs to approve Sparx access
Google users: Your Google Workspace administrator needs to allow access
Connection issues
Connection issues
Ensure you're using an up-to-date browser
Check your school's network allows access to SSO services
Try logging in on a different device if problems persist - testing if it works on a mobile phone on 4G is a good option
Diagnosing issues
Diagnosing issues
If there are any issues with your students' SSO configuration, you can download a diagnostic report from 'More' → 'School Settings' → 'Single Sign-On' → click on 'Download report'.
You can also see the following in Student Manager:
Whether students have logged in via SSO
When they last accessed Sparx
Any email address mismatches
Frequently asked questions
Will enabling SSO create new accounts for existing students?
Will enabling SSO create new accounts for existing students?
No - SSO simply provides another way to log in to existing Sparx accounts. All student data, including XP, homework history and levels, remains unchanged.
Can students still use their Sparx username and password?
Can students still use their Sparx username and password?
By default, yes however we highly recommend using SSO to reduce the admin burden and blocker of password resets. In the School Settings, schools can choose to either allow both SSO and username/password login, or require SSO login only.
Do teachers need to do anything different with SSO?
Do teachers need to do anything different with SSO?
Teachers must:
Have a Sparx account before using SSO
Verify their email address on first SSO login
Ensure your Sparx email matches your school account
What happens if our school's SSO domain changes?
What happens if our school's SSO domain changes?
Just before a domain change, you'll need to:
Update the domain in School Settings
Ensure student email addresses are updated in the MIS, and a manual sync is completed
Check teacher email addresses match the new domain
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