Volusia County Schools began using technology in programs for at-risk students in 1992. Since then, district educators have become experts at effectively using technology to create options for all students, addressing needs related to credit recovery, transitional schools, and dropout prevention and recovery programs.

But in 2005, the district found itself in need of a new solution. In order to serve its variety of programs for at-risk students, Volusia needed the flexibility of online delivery. In addition, Volusia needed a more rigorous curriculum for its at-risk-student programs.

Evaluation and Trial Lead to a District-Wide Implementation

Searching for a solution, Volusia began evaluating digital curriculum providers. The district created a 51-point evaluation rubric and looked at each provider’s offerings from every angle, including instructional design, course content, engagement, interactivity, assessment, additional resources, service and support, and technology requirements.

"There was incredible flexibility on the part of the people who work for Apex Learning. They really listened in order to understand our needs, and we ended up with a solution that we wouldn’t have gotten from another vendor.”

   — Carol Downing
        Credit Retrieval Specialist

One contender stood out from the pack: Apex Learning. Following a successful pilot program, the Apex Learning digital curriculum was fully implemented throughout the district, starting with the 2006–2007 school year, and now serves more than 3,000 students each year.

Students Successfully Earning Credits Toward Graduation

Today, at each of Volusia’s traditional high schools, students use Apex Learning online courses in learning labs to recover credits required to get back on track for graduation. Credentialed teachers staff the learning labs and ensure students are making progress.

At the district’s alternative education sites — including transitional schools for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders, storefront dropout prevention and recovery schools, and Department of Juvenile Justice sites — students take Apex Learning online courses to earn original credit. An individual learning plan is created for every student that enters one of these programs. Teachers work one-on-one with students to help them stay on track as they work through their courses.