Challenge

Preparation for Pennsylvania’s high-stakes end-of-course exams and credit recovery take the forefront for a rural high school seeking to expand its options for struggling students who are at risk of becoming another disappointing statistic. Bermudian Springs High School is a small, rural school located between Gettysburg and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Like most other schools, the combination of high-stakes testing and end-of-course graduation requirements has had an adverse effect on struggling students. When Pennsylvania implemented its Keystone Exams in 2012, students needed to pass these end-of-course assessments in algebra I, reading, and biology to graduate. Others found themselves short on credits because of family, work, or other complications.

Bermudian Springs’ graduation rate was starting to drop toward 90 percent after several years of being over 95 percent. “We needed more students scoring proficient or better on their Keystone Exams and more students obtaining the credits they needed for graduation,” explained Sharon Allison, online learning aide at Bermudian Springs. As in other settings, rural high school students need as many scheduling options and as much flexibility as possible to make these goals a reality.

Solution

Through a solution bundle made up of Courseware and Edmentum Assessments, Bermudian Springs was able to offer students opportunities in remediation and preparation for the Keystone Exams, as well as the ability to make up missing credits, keeping the possibility of graduation in sight for students who might not have remained motivated otherwise.

“Students are guided through the system by me—a dedicated aide—as well as their response to intervention specialist and their classroom teachers,” described Allison. All of the school’s assets, including computer labs, classroom computers, and at-home availability, have been made available to the students. Students can work wherever they are and whenever they have the time, while keeping up with their existing schedules.

Results

Early in the implementation, seven students received missing credits they wouldn’t have earned without the program. Students needing remediation toward success in the Keystone Exams have been successfully completing their Courseware in algebra, biology, and literature. In just the fall semester of 2013, 189 students used Courseware for a total of nearly 3,000 hours. The majority of students spent that time in math courses. “Most students are finding the programs engaging and have been excelling in their work because of it,” reported Allison.

Between Pennsylvania's mandates and the shift to the Common Core State Standards, these could be potentially challenging times for Bermudian Springs High School. But, as its Edmentum program grows and more students become aware of their options, the staff feels confident that the school will continue on its upward trajectory.