EDMOND — Some call them modern learners; some say they have a short attention span, but all struggle in a traditional classroom setting.

By education standards many of these learners have been left behind for years, but Edmond Public Schools’ teachers and administrators may have come up with a solution.

It is these students the Edmond school district is trying to reach with its newly adopted method of learning that allows credit recovery for students who are in need of it.

Apex is an online credit recovery program. The purpose of the course is to enable students to recover credits from failed classes and meet graduation requirements.

APEX Learning is for learners who already have “seat time” in the classroom, but did not pass the class, and APEX Learning reaches the students who want to move at their own pace, said Linda DeSpain, associate superintendent of education services.

“APEX is a great blend between virtual coursework and teacher-guided instruction,” said Boulevard Academy teacher Rebecca Arnold, a National Board Certified Teacher. “With APEX a student can progress at their own pace, but also have teacher checkpoints that evaluate the student learning, provide curricula support and tutoring.”

“The students have to have an intrinsic desire to learn and be motivated to succeed with APEX,” Arnold said.

Students work independently on computers, accessing lessons in multimedia and text formats. Progress through the course is monitored by a classroom teacher to ensure students are advancing.

“This semester we offered over 70 courses to 46 students,” Arnold said.

APEX is available to ninth-through 12th-graders at all three high schools and Boulevard Academy, and students may be referred to the program by a counselor or an administrator.

“The students enjoy the program because the curriculum is delivered in a variety of methods — videos, instructional games, guided online research projects and more,” Arnold added. “These methods ensure student engagement and give interactive learning opportunities to every student.”        

Apex Learning was started in 1997 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen on the idea that online courses and test prep, which were already succeeding in higher education, could be applied to K-12.

The original focus of the company was providing online Advanced Placement courses and test prep, and AP remains a core part of Apex Learning’s business. Since then Apex Learning introduced new web-based products addressing credit recovery, remediation, classroom teaching and alternative schools.

The product is primarily purchased by districts for use in remediation, intervention and credit recovery programs in schools, although it does have components that Edmond may incorporate at a later date, DeSpain said.

Each student is assigned to a teacher that helps guide them through the program, and the students can work on their assignments at school and at home.

Boulevard Academy principal Mark Andrus said he has received positive verbal feedback from students that used the program during the high school summer school session and from students that are using the program at his school.

DeSpain said at this time there are fewer than 200 students using the credit recovery program but the district has the capability of reaching 300 students. She added 57 1/2 credits were earned in summer school by students taking APEX online courses.

“We are taking it pretty slowly so we can identify and take care of any unforeseen problems,” DeSpain said, “and teachers at every site are giving feedback as to the way the program is progressing.”

“We chose APEX over Odyssey because eventually we are looking at offering a virtual school where the students will do coursework at home.

“Although this is something we are looking at in the future, the school board members decided last spring to take changes in measured steps. Odyssey was not as rigorous and complete as APEX.”

DeSpain added APEX also has an AP component, where students can enroll in different levels, to appeal to the different needs of students.

“It is important to offer a program like this,” DeSpain said. “We had a senior transfer into Edmond who did not have freshman English credit. He can complete that course at night and on weekends and graduate with the rest of the senior class.”

Students who are really motivated can complete a course in six weeks, DeSpain said.

DeSpain said later on when the district goes with virtual learning, homebound students can participate.

“We intend to use it and actually are using to provide services for suspended students,” DeSpain said. “We recognize it is not for every student, but a student could earn credit if suspended for a semester. “

DeSpain said the district’s teachers feel the program does have the rigor that Edmond wants its students to have.

“We want our students to learn something,” DeSpain added. “The key is for the parent to be engaged and to help work with their child.”



pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171