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Online Credit Recovery Program Helps Chicago Area Students Graduate on Schedule

More than 1,000 students of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), each previously lagging in one or more course credits necessary for graduation, will now receive their diplomas along with the rest of the Class of 2010. The students owe their previously unexpected timely graduations in large part to a virtual learning program launched by CPS, in conjunction with Aventa Learning, through which students use Aventa's online credit recovery courses (OCRCs) in their spare time to make up deficiencies in graduation requirements.

The Aventa OCRCs are offered as a substitute for a student to retake a course he or she previously failed. Prior to the launch of the CPS virtual learning program, a student typically addressed this situation by retaking the same in-class course, often with the same teacher. Through the program, a student can make up a course deficiency online at an individualized pace and schedule with the support of district mentors available via online chats and e-mail and, if necessary, in person.

"Previously, if a student failed a course they might have had difficulty repeating that course. Budget cuts made that situation even worse," said Robin Gonzalez, manager of distance learning for CPS. "With the CPS Virtual School, we have taken down the bureaucratic barriers to graduation and have ensured that every child has access to a high quality, flexible learning option that meets his or her needs."

The company piloted its online credit recovery program at CPS in 2008 before making it available to districts nationwide. The OCRCs are taught by Aventa's own teachers (who are both subject-qualified and state-certified). This eliminates any chance of a personal history existing between a teacher and a student who previously failed the teacher's course, preventing any possible bias.

CPS currently offers the virtual learning program at 75 of its 125 schools, with more than 4,000 of its students currently enrolled in one or more online courses. In addition to OCRCs, the district's virtual learning program also offers online Advanced Placement courses from Aventa at schools that don't offer the in-class AP course.

Overall, the company offers a full range of required courses and electives in English and world languages, math and natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and fine arts, as well as several middle school courses. A complete list of high school courses can be found here.

About the Author

Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.

Comments

Thu, Jul 8, 2010

NCAA did not say they would not give credit based on these courses. They said they had to be "clearly identified" on the student transcript. This will continue to be a "hot ticket" item here in California...most districts have gone to "no" summer school or greatly reduced due to budgets. We are all entering very different realities from when I first started teaching 20 years ago....

Wed, Jul 7, 2010 Tim

Having options for students is a good idea. With that said, there is a lot of work on the schools end that has to go into an on-line classes or summer school opportunity. Without the proper curriculum, assessments, and training in place, any class/program can be "joke". This is just like any other offering in that it must be well thought out and implemented properly. If a student is just "blowing off" the class, I would hope that the school/teacher/parents would take the appropriate action during the year.

Sat, Jul 3, 2010 Frank

First off, I don't want to appear negative about on-line courses. At my school, these courses are used while a student is still taking his class and is in jeopardy of failing. It is used as a supplement to what he is learning in class and if he does all the work of what is required for his on-line course, this may give him enough points to pass and hopefully graduate. I think this is the best use for these courses, not as primary teaching tool. These courses in no way could equal the classroom where homework, reports, labs, etc. all make up additional assessments. Students soom learn (as they do with summer school) that they really don't have to do much work in their class, skip, become disruptive, etc. when they know they have credit recovery. BTW, that line about "teacher bias" is a little disturbing. If a student fails a course I would strongly recommend he try again with a different teacher.

Fri, Jul 2, 2010

Too bad the NCAA has just stated that they will not honor any credit received through these types of classes.

Fri, Jul 2, 2010 Editor

Frank, the argument against this position is that summer school is just putting a student into the same situation in which he or she just finished failing. Some can succeed and have succeeded when given a second chance in the same setting. Others can't. I don't know what the harm is in removing those students from one setting and giving them another chance in another setting. I'd be curious to read your response. --David Nagel

Fri, Jul 2, 2010 Frank

So, a student can screw around in a course and then take credit recovery to pass. Hmmm, does credit recovery courses give homework?, projects?, reports?, labs (if science)? We have it in my high school and it's just a ploy to increase graduation rates. BTW, if a student fails a course, there's the old fashion form of credit recovery....it's called summerschool.

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