Record Numbers Graduate at ACE
The headlines are often bleak with news of high dropout rates, budget cuts, and the closing of underperforming schools. Over the last decade, parents have demanded changes to an educational system that seems to be broken. On the other hand, there’s a sunny spot in Arizona, a place where student achievement is expected. Last year, ACE Charter High School reached a milestone, celebrating the largest graduating class in the school’s 13-year history.
ODYSSEYWARE recently conducted a case study at this innovative charter school that was started in the 90s to provide a technology-driven learning environment for high school students. After trying other computer-based curriculum, ACE switched to ODYSSEYWARE. The results have been remarkable.
According to Jennifer Fimbres, a teacher at ACE,
“ODYSSEYWARE has had a big impact on the success of our students, especially in student satisfaction and attendance.”
The test scores speak for themselves. Last year, ACE’s pass rate for Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) test more than doubled for math and reading.
While the numbers are impressive, student satisfaction is also a key component to successful academic programs. At ACE, both students and teachers expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the curriculum.
“Students didn’t like the old program,” said Jennifer. “It was old technology with a lot of line drawings and green screens. It was not aligned to state standards. Students like the interactive aspect of ODYSSEYWARE and the look. It looks like everything else they’re used to seeing. It’s familiar and easy for them to navigate.”
As the educational landscape rapidly changes, teachers are increasingly looking for ways to engage their students and support their academic success. For this forward-thinking teacher, who loves ODYSSEYWARE’s fully online curriculum, it provides a solution.
“The world that we live in is increasingly technical. Students need to be able to function in that environment with a certain amount of independence. ODYSSEYWARE allows them to do this,” she said.