Challenge: Meeting Students Where They Are

Decatur City Schools (DCS) in Alabama, home to approximately 8,700 students, is the most diverse district in the state. With 76 percent of students living in poverty, they often face responsibilities such as working to support their families or providing childcare for younger siblings.  As such, the district’s leadership is committed to finding meaningful, flexible, and rigorous ways to support student success. 

“It would be ideal for every student to have a perfect situation,” said Anita Clarke, supervisor of curriculum and instruction. “But that’s not our children’s reality.”

Before the district’s partnership with Edmentum, it faced major barriers in helping students earn credits, particularly at the secondary level. 

“We had to ask ourselves: How can we meet every student’s needs, no matter their situation?” Mrs. Clarke expressed.

Solution: A Longstanding, Purpose-Driven Partnership with Edmentum

More than two decades ago, DCS began a partnership with Edmentum. One of the standout uses of Edmentum is in the district’s Career Academies of Decatur (CAD) career tech high school, where students take the majority of their core content courses online through Edmentum Courseware. 

“These students have the flexibility to work at their own pace,” maintained Mrs. Clarke. “But, make no mistake—this is a rigorous program.”

Every Edmentum course offered in Decatur City Schools includes certified teacher oversight and high expectations. 

“We don’t just put a student on a computer and expect them to figure it out,” Mrs. Clarke emphasized. “They are required to log in or meet with their teacher weekly, and they receive support either face-to-face or virtually.”

The district’s use of Edmentum is structured to reflect postsecondary expectations. 

“When students go to college, they’re expected to reach out to professors, manage deadlines, and seek help,” explained Mrs. Clarke. “That’s exactly what we prepare them for through Edmentum.” 

And it doesn’t stop there—students are held to clear academic standards within the program. 

“They must maintain a B average to continue taking additional courses online, especially if they want more time in their career and technical education (CTE) programs,” said Mrs. Clarke. “They’re also required to take notes and engage fully with the material. That’s part of the expectation.”

Result: A Culture of Accountability, Achievement, and Real-World Readiness

The impact of Edmentum is evident across the district, including high school graduates and middle schoolers exploring career pathways. At CAD, the results are impressive. 

“[In 2025], about 20 juniors and seniors are graduating early because they used Edmentum to accelerate their learning,” Mrs. Clarke reported. “Some are already employed by local businesses, earning $30 to $35 an hour. That’s life changing.”

Mrs. Clarke also shared the story of a young man who lives with his elderly grandparents: “He finished all his senior coursework early, using Edmentum, and now he’s working and earning $35 an hour. His grandmother called crying, thankful someone believed in him.”

Another student, a young woman supporting her three siblings at home, was able to manage her education and family obligations thanks to Edmentum’s flexibility. 

“She worked at a hospital internship, took care of her siblings, and still excelled in her classes,” Mrs. Clarke described. “She’s graduating and moving on to college. That wouldn’t have been possible without Edmentum.”

Even middle school students are benefiting from early exposure to the platform. 

“We use Courseware for credit recovery in grades 6–8,” offered Mrs. Clarke. “It gives them a chance to stay on track and builds their familiarity with the platform. By the time they reach high school, they’re ready to succeed in either the traditional setting or the Career Academies high school.”

The success of Decatur City Schools’ partnership with Edmentum is about more than just technology—it’s about a shared commitment to student success. 

“When I think about our partnership, I think of trust,” commented Mrs. Clarke. “I trust Edmentum to provide a quality product that supports our vision. And when we need help, they’re there.”

Mrs. Clarke added, “If any district is looking to truly meet students where they are and hold them to high standards—Edmentum is the answer. But it takes commitment. You have to use it with fidelity, build structures around it, and engage fully. That’s what makes it work.”

For Mrs. Clarke and her team, Edmentum isn’t just a tool—it’s part of their educational culture. 

“We’re giving students the knowledge to be employable, financially literate, and future-ready,” Mrs. Clarke said. “This is how we change not just the lives of our students but the trajectory of our entire community.”

To hear Anita Clarke detail Decatur City Schools' partnership with Edmentum, watch her testimonial video: https://www.edmentum.com/impact/testimonials/partner-spotlight-preparing-students-for-life-and-future-proofing-success-in-decatur-city-schools-alabama/