EL CENTRO, Calif. – Dropping out of high school seemed to be Jose Hernandez’s only choice when he was released from a juvenile detention facility a few months ago. In and out of such facilities for years, the 17-year-old thought he had fallen too far behind to graduate.
“I was never in school a whole semester,” Jose said. “I didn’t like people on my back.”
But all of that has changed.
Jose’s school, Desert Oasis High (Continuation) School, decided to incorporate EdOptions™’ unique Novel™ courses into its curriculum to help students recover credits. Novel, a library of 39 Web-based courses, can be accessed anytime, from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Former school principal Danette Morrell said she chose to implement the Web-based courses because she wanted to help her students reengage in the learning process.
“Our children need a variety of formats from which to learn and many students thrive in the technology-based program,” said Morrell, now the principal of Southwest High School. “Students like the ability to sit in a classroom, earn credits, gain knowledge, but not have to interact with their peers.”
“Thanks to EdOptions, I’m going to graduate and hopefully take a criminal justice class and get qualified to become a corrections officer.”
And that’s exactly what helped Jose get back on track.
“Here I can listen to music while I do my work and when I get tired, stop and go back to finish my work later,” he said. Jose said he likes that Novel’s interface allows him to see the number of lessons and assignments he needs in order to complete the class.
The teen even continues working on his courses from home long after the school day is over.
“Basically, I can go home and finish (all of my submissions) all the way up to my final in the same night,” Jose said.
Jose, once behind by 15 credits, now looks forward to graduating on time.
“Thanks to EdOptions, I’m going to graduate and hopefully take a criminal justice class and get qualified to become a corrections officer,” said Jose.
Even more impressively, catching up on his credits and recovering from challenges outside of school has motivated him to inspire other students who face similar circumstances.
Success story powered by Stars Suite “I want to give back to the people that helped me out when I was young, and teach some of these kids how to do it right,” he said.
