Case Study: Abilene Independent School District achieves a 94.4% graduation rate and higher test pass rates with Edmentum

Abilene Independent school District, Ultimate Flexibility for success

Abilene Independent School District in Abilene, TX faced an "academically unacceptable" TEA rating after completion rates for its Hispanic subgroup fell below required levels amid shifting demographics and growing numbers of disadvantaged students. Director Heath Wright launched a flexible extended school program focused on credit recovery and beyond, seeking online solutions to give students more options outside the regular school day.

Abilene partnered with Edmentum’s Plato Courseware, using flexible licenses for in-class, extended-day, summer and winter programs and targeted remediation; the program grew to hundreds of students across middle and high schools. Results included a move from “academically unacceptable” to “acceptable” in one year, graduation rising from 80.3% (2009–10) to 94.4% (2012–13), over 1,000–1,600 semester credits earned annually, higher TAKS passing rates in all subjects, strong EOC retake gains (e.g., 100% pass in Chemistry remediation) and a 23-point Algebra I pass-rate advantage at one high school.

Abilene Independent School District

Heath Wright

Director of Extended School Program