Find out how ODYSSEYWARE partners with Danville High School (Illinois) to maximize student success.

1. Danville High School
an
Case Study

2. Danville High School
Background
Profile The Danville School District serves approximately 6,300 students in grades K-12, including 150
SCHOOL students in the alternative program. This program provides high school age-appropriate students
Name: Danville High School with an alternative setting within which they can work to complete the credits necessary for
Danville School District graduation from Danville High School. The alternative program, which has been in place for 25 years,
Location: Danville, Illinois – Vermillion County is now housed two blocks from Danville High School in the administration building. Students in the
Location Type: Town – population 35,000 alternative program have been using ODYSSEYWARE as their primary curriculum since 2008.
ODYSSEYWARE Challenge
Enrollment: 150 students in alternative program Danville School District was looking for a curriculum/learning management system to replace another
Focus: Credit Recovery, Alternative Learning online program that they had been using. They required a program that was online and suited for
Grade level: 6-12 alternative access; included elementary level courses to close learning gaps for students working
Period Examined: 2008 - present below grade level; included complete core and elective courses without requiring supplemental
materials; included text translation features; engaged learners who were challenged in a traditional
setting; and allowed access by multiple students throughout the term to accommodate students
beginning and leaving the program.
approach
Students enrolled in Danville’s alternative program have the opportunity to further their education
outside traditional classrooms with ODYSSEYWARE. The local school district provides licensed
teachers who use ODYSSEYWARE Skills Diagnostic Tests to correctly place students within the
ODYSSEYWARE curriculum. Teachers can easily create and tailor courses for underachieving students
who do not qualify for special education or intervention.
Alternative students at Danville work primarily on core courses. Because of the flexibility of the
program, teachers are able to customize these courses to meet the specific needs of students in their
classroom. The online option has been well received by many students who can achieve mastery and
complete their courses at a faster pace than was possible in a traditional setting. While recovering
the credits they need and completing their coursework successfully on ODYSSEYWARE, students also
feel a sense of personal accomplishment. In addition, many students who come in to recover credits
have a wide variety of electives available to them to enrich their learning experience.
Because students can be rotated each period, ODYSSEYWARE is a cost effective solution that
accommodates more students than other online learning options while helping students make
progress toward graduation, allowing many to return to their home school to continue their secondary
education.
ODYSSEYWARE is an important partner with Danville School District in providing individualized
educational options to alternative students, with customizable lessons that allow teachers to create
courses around students, and not try to fit students into a pre-set lesson. Diagnostic testing assures
teachers that students will be placed at the correct level within lesson content to avoid learning
gaps and maximize progress. Administration tools integrated into ODYSSEYWARE, like automatic
grading, lesson planning, and report generation, allow teachers to focus more on students and less
on paperwork.

3. conclusion
The following graph illustrates the Danville High School’s decreased dropout rate and increased
graduation rate since ODYSSEYWARE was integrated in 2008.
GRADUATION RATE DROPOUT RATE
100% 75.7% before using ODYSSEYWARE 10% 8.2% before using ODYSSEYWARE
77.9% after using ODYSSEYWARE 5.8% after using ODYSSEYWARE
80% 8%
60% 6%
40% 4%
20% 2%
0% 0%
ODYSSEYWARE’s motivating online lessons helped underachieving students at Danville continue
their progress toward graduation, either by completing their diploma program while enrolled or by
93.1%
returning to their home school to graduate with their class. Due in part to the academic success
students have had in the alternative program, dropout rates continue to fall, continuing a five-year
trend.
79.8%
According to Danville Alternative School Principal Tracy Cherry, these students are excited about
taking courses on the computer instead of attending classes in a brick and mortar classroom. They
appreciate their ability to complete courses more quickly. Because they are able to use the Internet to
revisit lessons and meet the pass threshold, they feel a sense of success, which makes learning more
40%
enjoyable.
Although the district generally uses a different curriculum for its summer school program, students’
continual requests for ODYSSEYWARE courses have compelled the district to be sure someone who
knows the program is available for summer school students.
Not only is Cherry enthusiastic about students’ success in the program, but also about the flexibility
teachers have to individualize learning and help individual students achieve their learning goals. “It’s
been very beneficial for our teachers,” she said.
Since 2008, Danville School District and ODYSSEYWARE have created a partnership that keeps
student achievement at the center, evolving to meet new challenges through the use of technology.
According to Cherry, “I really believe that ODYSSEYWARE takes a lot of the suggestions they get to
heart, and try to make the program even better.”
Danville School District is not dragging its feet when it comes to integrating technology to support
learning. Additional online and alternative options continue to be a priority according to Danville
School District’s 2011-2016 Strategic Plan, which includes expanding alternative program options for
students and developing an alternative program for middle school students. With an online library
accessible on its website, digital tools and curriculum available for students, the implementation of
ODYSSEYWARE, and a progressive vision, it is committed to preparing students with the digital skills
they need to succeed in the 21st century.
Quote: “The thing I like about ODYSSEYWARE is that some of the changes they’ve made through the
years have come straight from our teachers.”
Tracy Cherry, Alternative School Principal
ODYSSEYWARE • 300 N. McKemy Ave. • Chandler, AZ 85226 • 877.795.8904
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