This is a method through which students who have failed an in-person class can remediate by taking the class’s online equivalent, so they stay on track for graduation. It was launched approximately a decade back. Online credit recovery is now widely used, with several school districts recording higher rates of graduation and corporations vying to sell their online courses to districts all over the country.
One issue plaguing credit recovery is the fact that the quality of courses is not the same across the board. Many times, it doesn’t feature intense material and is often considered by critics to be poorer alternatives to regular in-person classes. Because schools want to witness soaring graduation rates, the weakest students in a class (those who more often than not require more explanation of materials & concepts by their instructors) are given these online courses and asked to interact with them on their own, in front of computer screens.
An alarming review published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Georgia discovered that a meager 10% of students who pass their online credit recovery classes were able to show sufficient aptitude in related areas on standardized tests organized by the state. Hence, while credit recovery has proven to increase graduation rates, its effect on students’ career readiness and their overall learning process is particularly questionable.
The review of credit recovery isn’t all bad: when they are competency-based, and students have to demonstrate a crucial understanding of the relevant subject matter before they can move to the next level, these programs are helpful. It is logical that since these programs are hinged on mastery as opposed to simply completing the course, they are an excellent method of delivering credit recovery programs.
