Credit Recovery is NOT a Bad Thing

Attention:  All High School Teachers

By now we are all aware of the "official" mission/vision of public education.  In some way, shape, or form it all comes back to "preparing students to be globally competitive in the 21st century."  However, in our efforts to use the latest jargon, or to satisfy state and district officials, I am afraid that a more important mission is at risk of being forgotten.  That mission is as old is public education itelf..."to do what is best for kids."

It is time that everyone recognizes and openly admits that everyone is not cut out to be a global businessperson.  In fact, everyone is not cut out for college.  While a college degree, and the experience that comes with it, can certainly open doors, many young people are better served to capitlize on various individual skills and abilities and enter the workforce immediately after their high school graduation.  Why do I say this?  Aside from the fact that I believe it to be true, I also know that ALL students need a high school diploma.  And, in the push to introduce new initiatives and programs, many students are being left behind.  Rather than being prepared to compete in the real world, many students become frustrated with their educational experience and eventually drop out of school.  Without a basic high school diploma, these individuals are often doomed to a life that may involve poverty, crime and/or many other negative issues.  With the proper resources and safety nets, many of these students can be "saved" and prevented from becoming a statistic.  Some of them may, indeed, go on to college.  However, more of them will graduate from high school and have the opportunity at a better life than they otherwise would have experienced.

One such resource is credit recovery.  Credit recovery allows students who have failed one or more courses the opportunity to recover credits by successfully completing online courses.  Nova Net is one example of such a program.  Until June 30 of this year, Davidson County Schools has used this particular program as a resource to help students recover "lost credits."  Having overseen the entire credit recovery program at Central Davidson High School, I have seen the many merits of such a resource.

As a teacher, I was very opposed to Nova Net.  Like many of my colleagues, I thought that it offered students an "easy way out."  I believed that students could bypass the work and rigor of a course in the traditional classroom setting, jump through a few hoops, and get credit.  In fact, I had even heard several unmotivated students openly admit their intention to do so.  I often shared my frustrations with colleagues, who were equally concerned.  Certainly, I wanted success for all my students.  But, I wanted them to EARN that success.  I wanted them to meet the challenges that I set before them and work hard towards achieving excellence.  Effort was huge in my class and approach to grading.  Effort was always rewarded.  Typically, when true effort was given, that was rewarded with results.  Students comprehended the material and excelled on assessments.  However, in the rare instance that effort was not enough, I always rewarded students with a grade that was reflective of the effort they put forth.  That was my greatest frustration with Nova Net.  I believed, like most teachers, that it provided an easier alternative for students.  I believed that it was a "freebie."

As an administrator, I have been exposed to another perspective.  I have overseen our school's credit recovery program and worked individually with students who were seeking to get back on track.  I have monitored classes and have even taken a Nova Net course myself.  I now realize that this is NOT a bad thing.  I now see the philosophy behind credit recovery.  I know understand that programs such as Nova Net do have merit.  Among the many positives I encourage you to consider are:

• Research and results show that credit recovery programs have a tremendous impact on the graduation rate.  In one such example, the Lockport City School District in New York was able to raise its graduation rate by over 10% in a five year period.  One of its three main approaches to accomplishing this goal was the use of credit recovery.

• This approach has also shown results in North Carolina, as the use of credit recovery has improved graduation and drop out rates in Davidson County and across the state.

• At many schools, such as CDHS, improving the four year cohort graduation rate has become a part of the School Improvement Plan.   Working together, stakeholders can decrease the drop out rate and offer more students the chance for success both during and after high school.  This can have a huge effect on the morale of a school and its stakeholders.
• Students who enroll in credit recovery courses do NOT have an easy way out.  In fact, these students must complete rigorous lessons and assessments that are aligned with state goals and objectives and are designed to help them achieve and/or demonstrate proficiency in a given area or subject.
• By enrolling students in credit recovery, class sizes will decrease.  Given continuing budget and staff cuts, this promises to allow more individual attention and instruction in traditional classrooms.  This is an obvious advantage to both teachers and students.  
• Credit recovery also offers an alternative to those students who experience struggles with traditional instruction, the classroom setting, testing, etc.  By completing online recovery at their own pace, these students have the chance to experience success and graduate with members of their cohort.
• Credit recovery can also be geared to the needs of the individual, addressing specific areas of weakness.  Detailed review can be offered in certain areas, allowing students to better prepare for online assessments, as well as EOC testing when necessary.

Credit recovery has a history of success, in Davidson County and beyond.  As with any program, state and local officials continue to look for ways to improve this particular resource.  Beginning on August 1, 2011, Davidson County will offer its credit recovery through a new vendor and program, E2020.  This program will

be more cost effective, while also offering a more user-friendly, interactive experience for students.  Having been a part of demonstrations and training, I am excited about its potential to help students, and encouraged by the rigor this experience will involve. 

Moving forward, I encourage all teachers to have an open mind about this resource, and its ability to improve the services provided at an individual school.  In the end, programs such as credit recovery will allow the most important mission of education to be accomplished..."doing what is best for kids."