OKEMOS, Mich. — A local high school has doubled its online course completion rates in just one semester. NexTech High School of Lansing’s Fall Semester online course completion rates hit 80%. According to the Annenberg Institute [edworkingpapers.com], national high school course completion rates average just above 40%.
“Our increased course completion rate is attributed to our instructional changes and the support families are giving at home,” said Jamie DeWitt, principal of NexTech Lansing. “It is making a positive impact on our students’ academic success, but we’re not done yet.”
DeWitt’s goal is to reach 90% course completion rates for Spring Semester 2020.
“At NexTech High School of Lansing, technology allows students to work creatively,” she explained, “by offering blended learning customized to each student’s individual, personalized learning needs, whether on-campus or studying online.”
Blended learning -- a term used for academic settings that use a mix of in-person and online instruction -- offers learners both convenience and flexibility, by controlling their learning pace, according to its advocates. Research suggests [sciencedirect.com] blended learning gives learners a more comprehensive understanding of the course content.
“We understand blended learning isn’t for everyone,” said DeWitt. “But by better understanding which students thrive in the blended learning environment we’re able to provide students with a unique high school experience that leads to happiness and academic success.”
Who are those students? A recent parent survey of NexTech Lansing families found students who thrive are self-motivated and often felt they didn’t “belong” in traditional academic environments, or were plagued by bullying and social struggles.
“In the blended environment, we really get to know each student,” explained DeWitt. “Yes, we talk about math and history and writing, but we also talk about time management, mental health, coping mechanisms, professionalism and the soft skills that will help them succeed far beyond high school.”
For more information about NexTech High School of Lansing visit nextechhigh.org [nextechhigh.org].
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