Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative, longitudinal study on secondary school credit recovery (CR) systems was to examine the effectiveness by which these programs operate. The study was intended to aid the discussion of the effectiveness of CR programs for like situated school districts. Efficacy was measured via three different outcomes: |•The grades the students received in the subsequent class. |•The amount of knowledge based growth, as measured via the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) test. |•The graduation rates of those students who utilized CR. |The study reviewed student records dating from 1997 to 2014. Subsequent class grades and NWEA scores achieved by the CR students were compared against a control group. The study utilized a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design with a stratified and restricted data set. The data set was stratified by school year, grade level, and grade received in the CR class with a population of n = 157. The control group was chosen at random from those students who completed Algebra I and was stratified in the same manner. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was chosen for NWEA Rauch Unit (RIT) score analysis for comparison between CR students and the regular Algebra I group. It was found the data indicated that a lack of statistical significance existed between the treatment group and the control group yet the data sets were equivalent. The CR students from blended CR classes showed higher levels of growth on the NWEA when compared to students in the completely online classes via a ¬t-test. Further testing showed that a statistically significant difference existed in the subsequent class grades of the CR students versus the regular students in their Geometry I class. This outcome, when coupled with data indicating that CR students were comparably prepared and displayed lower graduation rates, suggested the need for a change in methodology for recovery students as they move back into the regular curriculum. As a result of the data analysis, it is recommended that CR programs adopt a blended format, and post-CR Geometry I classes are augmented to allow for continued success for the CR student. |Keywords: Algebra I credit recovery, credit recovery efficacy.