James Madison’s Common Core Online High School Curriculum Benefits Military Youth

Oct. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia – With the new school year well underway, and as more and more primary and secondary schools continue rolling out the Common Core State Standards, James Madison High School’s (http://www.jmhs.com/) recent adoption of Common Core is set to make a difference in military-connected youth graduate enrolled in an online high school (http://www.jmhs.com/academics) diploma program.

For military youth and other non-traditional students, there are some telling facts that support why Common Core adoption should make a positive impact for this important segment. First, the U.S. Defense Department reports that until the recent recall of troops, there were as many as 2 million American children and teenagers with at least one parent deployed in a war zone. Secondly, the Military Child Education Coalition states that approximately 800,000 military-connected students will change schools six to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation.

“Because when an online high school curriculum like James Madison’s complies with Common Core State Standards there are distinct ways a military family can benefit,” said Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, Chief Education Officer for James Madison High School. “Parents can be assured that what was taught at a former school aligns with James Madison, which makes the transition easier. Also, if a student has previously attended high school, we accept up to 75% in transfer credits.”

James Madison also offers single courses for those students who are staying with their current school and are looking to make up credits.

“The Standards ensure that our curriculum is relevant for the real world and provides students with the knowledge, training and skills necessary to succeed in life,” said Dr. Gargiulo added. She also pointed out that for military families considering online high school options, eliminating the need to transfer when the next time the family pcs’s should add an additional level of stability.

For the 75% of military youth not attending a Department of Defense-run institution, the Military Child Education Coalition states that their academic performance is more apt to mirror non-military affiliated students who frequently transfer between schools and the potential impact of mobility on students' education is significant. Students who frequently move between schools can experience a range of problems such as:

• Mid-year pcsing forces students to join classes already in session

• Courses students have taken at their old schools may not fulfill the graduation requirements at their new school

• Lower achievement levels due to discontinuity of curriculum between schools

• Difficulty developing peer relationships

• Greater potential for dropping out

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state led initiative intended to create a baseline for the learning expectations of students, grades K-12 resulting in a curriculum that transcends state boundaries and fully aligns with today’s college entrance requirements and work expectations – a major asset to military-connected students.

James Madison High School is among the more than 130,000 primary and secondary schools across the United States. The regionally and nationally accredited online high school is one of the first schools to be 100% compliant with The Common Core State Standards -- well in advance of the 2014 implementation deadline.

About James Madison High School

Rated as a Tier I high school by the U.S. Department of Defense, James Madison High School is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). An accreditation division of AdvancED and by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, James Madison High School, along with parent school Ashworth College, is celebrating 25 years of Educating Minds and Changing Lives. Together, these leading online schools have built a tradition of excellence by offering students worldwide an extensive range of online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma (http://www.jmhs.com/) options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of traditional high school students and working adults.