Independent Studies Prove Effectiveness of Apex Learning Digital Curriculum

SEATTLE, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Apex Learning, the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools, announced the results of three independent studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the company's digital curriculum.  The results revealed the positive impact the curriculum has on student achievement when implemented to meet a range of student needs.

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The profiles of the students participating in the studies ranged from those in need of extra support or at risk of not completing high school, to students performing at grade level, to others accelerating their learning or taking college-level courses.

The first independent study analyzed the impact Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses had on the academic performance of more than 1,700 at-risk and dropout recovery students. The study revealed that students completing Apex Learning courses saw significant gains in achievement on state end-of-course exams.

On state assessments in English language arts, math and science, students gained 21 percentage points, moving from the 50th percentile to the 71st percentile. Struggling readers taking Apex Learning courses with additional literacy support showed significantly higher gains — up to 77 scale score points more — than struggling readers who completed courses without the Apex Learning literacy support.

The second study was a two-year independent study that evaluated a district-wide credit recovery program during the 2010-2011 and the 2011-2012 school years.

The study revealed that during the 2010-2011 school year, credit recovery students achieved a 29 percentage point gain on the High School Assessment Programs (HSAP) exam, moving from the 50th percentile to the 79th percentile. The following year students achieved a 44 percentage gain on the HSAP exam, moving from the 50th percentile to the 94 percentile.

The third study evaluated the impact Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses had on the achievement levels of students taking Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses for original credit or credit recovery.  This independent study revealed that in both cases students taking Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses scored higher on the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress and the end-of-course assessments than original credit students not using Apex Learning courses.  The average performance for students using Apex Learning courses was at the 51.2 percentile, whereas students not using Apex Learning courses performed on average at the 48.8 percentile.

"These third-party evaluations confirm that Apex Learning digital curriculum has a positive impact on student achievement," said Cheryl Vedoe, CEO of Apex Learning. "When implementing programs using Apex Learning digital curriculum to provide new learning opportunities for students, educators can have confidence that they are implementing a curriculum proven to be effective."  

About Apex Learning
Nearly two decades ago Apex Learning emerged as a leader in digital learning for secondary education, developing online Advanced Placement courses to provide students who would otherwise not have access the opportunity to take rigorous, college-level courses. Recognizing the challenges schools face in meeting the needs of every student — from those struggling to stay on track for graduation to those capable of accelerating their learning — the company continues to develop innovative, digital learning solutions to support teachers and provide every student with the opportunity to excel beyond his or her expectations.

Today Apex Learning offers a comprehensive catalog of rigorous, standards-based online courses that meet high school graduation requirements. Apex Learning Comprehensive Courses are used by schools nationwide for both initial credit and credit recovery. The company's latest digital learning solution —Tutorials — are a key component of effective blended learning, providing classroom teachers with the critical resources they need to meet the needs of all students including preparation for high stakes assessments, targeted intervention and just-in-time remediation and enhanced instruction for all students.

Apex Learning, headquartered in Seattle, is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission and its courses are approved for National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility. For more information, visit www.apexlearning.com or call 1.800.453.1454.

SOURCE Apex Learning