Teachers, coaches, and school administrators in Butler County now have a new tool to help track student progress towards qualifying for graduation while also making NCAA eligibility easier. Alabama-based Hi.Ed announced on Wednesday that Butler County Schools (BCS) will be the latest schools to use their online guidance management system to benefit students and their families. Montgomery County Public Schools also utilize this technology.
Hi.Ed stands for Hyper-Individualized Education Design. The program offers a comprehensive educational resource with five core components: Academics, Virtual Life, Compresults Tracking Tool, The Market and Athletics/NCAA Eligibility. The company is a member of Birmingham’s renowned Innovation Depot community.
Hi.Ed founder Duwan Walker summarized that the web-based platform is a way “to deliver students to careers,” allowing students to identify, explore and prepare for career pathways. This includes not only four-year degrees but also two-year degrees and skills training. Walker, a former football player, developed the program with his wife.
“I had the opportunity to play football and to coach at every level,” Walker stated to Al.com. “I saw the need for this type of software. There is a big gap in understanding what a student needs to graduate and what they need to be eligible to play NCAA sports. I felt like we needed something to bridge that gap, and that is where God laid it upon our hearts to develop Hi.Ed.”
“We are thrilled and honored to partner with the City of Greenville, Butler County Schools, and the Butler County Commission for Economic Development as we continue to improve the educational path to success for every student,” commented Walker. “Our system will assist with bridging the gaps of confusion and uncertainty and serve all students, parents, administrators, and other stakeholders by joining one another under one practical platform, creating a clear line of transparency from school to home, and then later connecting students to the workforce. Hi.Ed will stand alongside the City of Greenville, Butler County Schools, and the Butler County Commission for Economic Development, and together, we will be a catalyst in helping guide our future leaders to a world full of opportunities.”
“Hi.Ed is an effective educational tool that will significantly impact how we serve our high students and parents,” added Rheta McClain, Career Tech Director for BCS. “At the same time, it simultaneously helps us refocus how we interact with colleges and the local workforce. School and district personnel can utilize data from Hi.Ed to partner with community organizations, colleges, and workforce companies to provide information and post-high school opportunities that align closely with students’ interests. Progress toward graduation, NCCA eligibility, progress towards college admission, workforce readiness, and more will be easily accessible by high school students and parents in one centralized location. This program will enhance our ability to ensure that all high school students feel supported as they progress towards becoming Butler County School System graduates prepared for the next level of their choosing – whether for the military, college, or the workforce.”
