MANSFIELD, Ohio — According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Ohio graduated 81 percent of its high-school students in 2013. In the same year, Mansfield Senior High graduated 75 percent of their fourth-year students. Dr. Ed Stevens aims at increasing both rates with the school’s revamped online learning program, PLATO.
Mansfield Senior High has had an online learning program in the past. However, due to minimal positive changes in the school’s graduation rate, the program was revamped this year by Stevens and others.
Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (PLATO), an extension of Edmentum, “offers a wide variety of innovative solutions spanning a multitude of program areas to empower 21st century teaching and learning.”
The school’s PLATO is primarily a credit recovery program, explained Stevens. “It gives the kids an opportunity, a window, a way to get back on track to graduate on time,” he said. And he is starting to see results.
“We already have students that are finishing their course work, which means they’ll be able to graduate this year,” said Stevens. He said six students have already finished the Algebra 2 course work through the program, with others on their way. There are currently 80 to 100 students enrolled in the program.
Mansfield Senior High’s graduation rate sits at 75.5 percent, as determined by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). This percentage gives the school a failing grade when it comes to graduating students within four years.
“The students who fall behind have a much higher dropout rate. Anything we can do to lower the dropout rate and increase the graduation rate is a benefit to the entire community,” said Stevens.
He said the percentage of dropouts who either end up on federal assistance or in jail is not pretty.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), as of 2008, nearly 41 percent of America’s state prison inmates have less than a high school education. The NEA also states that high school dropouts are more likely to be on some form of public assistance.
In the past, Stevens said the online learning program only ran after school. This year, the program is also offered during school hours to ensure participation.
“The success rate with the kids that are doing it in the school day, versus the kids who are doing it after school, is phenomenal,” said Stevens.
Some students need credits from multiple courses in order to graduate on time. James Turner, a senior, is currently finishing a geometry course. Once completed , he’ll move on to another math class.
“Most kids are in there for math credits,” explained Stevens. But, he said, PLATO through Mansfield Senior High offers numerous courses including English, Social Studies, Art History, electives in Sociology, World History, Forensic Science, Horticulture and others.
Stevens said the students excel with the online learning program whereas some might struggle in a traditional classroom setting.
“They can work at their own pace … When they’re stuck, someone can actually walk over and walk them through it, teach them how to do it on paper and they can then apply it,” said Stevens.
Stevens, known as Doc Stevens among the students, also teaches Honors and AP Chemistry. With his extensive academic background, he said the online learning program is not just a breeze.
“PLATO is rigorous. It’s not an easy way out. We’re not giving away free credits here; this is work,” he said.
PLATO is also accepted for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements, meaning the students are eligible to gain college credits for some courses offered through the program. But the NCAA requires students to pass any of the PLATO courses with a B (80 percent) average.
Currently, the PLATO program is only available to high school students. Students who are interested in participating in the program are encouraged to talk with their guidance counselors.
