Allows students to retake classes online that they have failed in person, helping them remain on track for graduation. Online credit recovery was introduced about a decade ago, and it has since become a booming business. School districts have experienced soaring graduation rates, leaving companies competing to sell virtual courses to districts across the nation.
The problem is that when it comes to credit recovery courses, quality varies. Often, the material is not rigorous and, according to critics, these courses serve as a poor substitute for in-class instruction. In a rush to raise graduation rates, schools put the students who most need teacher intervention and guidance in front of a computer screen, leaving them to their own devices.
In Georgia, a review by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that among students who passed online credit recovery classes in subjects covered on the state’s standardized tests, only 10 percent demonstrated proficiency in the relevant areas. It’s clear that credit recovery is good for graduation rates, but is it good for college and career readiness? Is it good for students?
Here’s some hopeful news: competency-based credit recovery programs, in which students must show mastery of a topic to advance, are beneficial. These programs, based on mastery rather than completion, demonstrate a positive direction for online credit recovery.