Credit Recovery Case Study Sewanhaka Central High School District
Schools throughout the country continue to search for ways to improve opportunities for all students. While the goals of No Child Left Behind are laudable, the truth of the matter is that some students do struggle, some need more time to reach their potential, and some simply need differentiated opportunities in which to learn.
So what do you do with the student who is failing? What about the one in fear of missing graduation because they need to make up credits to graduate… or the child who simply needs more time on-task to perform to his or her potential?
The answer is, RRT’s CyberExtension™.
Last year, Sewanhaka Central High School in New York, partnered with RRT to expand the application of their “Virtual Academy”. Sewanhaka has been enjoying the benefits and fiscal advantage they receive by sending their homebound or suspended students through the web-based academy. As of last year, Sewanhaka had three computer labs simultaneously conducting after-school education academies throughout their district. But they soon realized this was simply the “tip of the iceberg.”
The Challenge
Fourteen students were in jeopardy of missing the opportunity to graduate with their peers because they were deficient in a single subject for credits required for graduation. Worse still, there was no infrastructure in place to allow these students to make up the required credits while still moving forward in their senior year. Unless something was done, these otherwise deserving students would not be able to walk with their classmates on graduation day. Some were even considering dropping out completely rather than returning to school the following year. With a diploma so close at hand, Sewanhaka administrators knew they could not let these students down.
The Solution
When Right Reason Technologies was brought into the district, there was a clear understanding. Something needed to be done to improve homebound education in a fiscally sound way. But this was always only a part of the vision. The partnership and platform was created with the reality that the web-based applications and curriculum could eventually benefit all students… whether it be for remediation for traditional students needing help, amplification for those who desire more, or as a means to reach out to students in need of differentiated instruction. While credit recovery was not on the short term list for expansion, the system and program was in place when the need became clear.
With approved curriculum already available and educators already in place through the Virtual Academy, these 14 students were able to jump into the web-based program after school, validate their comprehension of required subjects, and fulfill their requirements for graduation. Sure, the program saved money. These students were able to graduate on time rather than be sent to summer school or return to school the following September. But moreover, these were students who took steps to graduate with their peers. The goal is to bring everyone forward without compromising quality. By using the partnership with RRT for credit recovery, Sewanhaka Central High School District maintained its outstanding reputation for quality education while taking caring steps for these fourteen students. Quality education with a personal touch. This is just another advantage of partnering with RRT as a resource in your districts tool-kit.
RRTs CyberExtension™ program gives you the flexibility web-based alternatives offer with the expertise required to implement a program based on your district’s individual needs. Recently, a New York consortium has been created to analyze the success achieved by Sewanhaka, and to explore ways to expand this success to districts throughout New York.