Florida Algebra I-A and I-B available for students who need additional support to succeed in Algebra I
SEATTLE, WA — February 11, 2009 — Apex Learning®, the leading provider of digital curriculum for secondary education, today announced new courses in algebra – critical to a student’s academic advancement – designed specifically to meet Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and Benchmarks. These state-specific additions to Apex Learning’s already-robust suite of digital curriculum further the abilities of educators to help all students successfully meet high school graduation requirements regardless of learning styles and situations.
Apex Learning’s Florida Algebra I-A and I-B courses, delivered online to classrooms, are designed to support success for students who are not prepared for the academic challenges of the traditional one-year Algebra I course. The two-year course sequence incorporates multimedia - in the form of animations, charts, graphs, images, and interactive manipulatives - along with instructional text to provide students with multiple representations of concepts as well as address different learning styles.
"Apex Learning prides itself on being responsive to the educational demands facing school districts and teachers," said Cheryl Vedoe, CEO of Apex Learning. "Our standards-based algebra curriculum will help Florida educators better meet the needs of all of their students. Mastering algebra is critical for students to succeed in high school, regardless of the level at which they started."
Educators often refer to algebra as a "gateway" course because it is a prerequisite for continued study. According to educators, success in algebra can be an early indicator of whether a student will remain in school and graduate. Research shows that Algebra I grades are an important predictor of whether students drop out or graduate; students who failed this course were 4.1 times more likely to drop out than those who passed the course. In the 2007-2008 school year, Florida schools had a total of 90,000 enrollments in Algebra 1A and 1B courses.
Newpoint Bay High School in northwest Florida uses Apex Learning curriculum, including math courses, for initial credit programs. Teachers have appreciated the way Apex Learning courses allow them to work one-on-one with their students and are eagerly anticipating Apex Learning’s Florida algebra courses.
"I like the Apex Learning curriculum because it frees me up to work one-on-one with students and really teach," said Angela Schmidt, Learning Leader at Newpoint Bay High School. "I am excited that Apex Learning is offering Algebra I-A and I-B courses. These courses put the complete curriculum all together in one place."
Apex Learning digital curriculum is already used successfully in Florida schools for credit recovery as well as for original credit in programs for at-risk students. With the addition of the Algebra I-A and I-B courses, Florida schools will have an additional option to support success for their students.