Online Schools
A decade ago, online schools or programs were virtually non-existent. If a student struggled in a public school setting, there were few options: tough it out, drop out of school or, in rare cases, complete a correspondence course.
Times have changed. Many states, including Missouri and Kansas, offer online classes as a way to get a high school diploma. Clayton Christensen, in his book Disrupting Class, predicts that by 2018, 50 percent of high school courses will be online. Missouri’s online program, MoVip, currently offers 172 different courses for grades K-12. Ron Packard, CEO and Founder of K12, Inc., states, “Virtual schools are an increasingly popular education option for parents and students. Students may benefit from highly individualized learning programs, highly skilled teachers, and an ability to work at their own pace. And virtual schools give students access to courses and electives they may not otherwise be able to get in a traditional school.”
Any student, from grades K-12, can enroll in an online program. Curt Fuchs, director for the state of Missouri online program MoVip, says that he generally sees three basic groups of students. First are medically fragile students—ones struggling from diabetes, cancer, severe anxiety disorders, etc., that keep them from being able to be in a typical classroom. A second group are students who want to take advanced classes but find, for a variety of reasons, those advanced classes aren’t offered. Many smaller schools cannot offer advanced Latin, German or Chinese classes, and a student could enroll in one of those programs online to receive more advanced schooling. A third group are students who are home-schooled for “core” classes, but take electives through an online program. Fuchs also adds that many students are not full-time online students, but rather supplement their public or private school education with a couple of online classes.
Online programs have many advantages. Cherie Nicholson, Kansas Department of Education, points out, “Some need the flexibility the virtual school may offer.” Students can take classes such as personal finance or health during a summer online program to free up busy schedules during the school year. Both Kansas and Missouri programs are self-paced, so if a student wants to work faster, he is able. Important to note is that most programs employ certified teachers.
Kendra Callaway, guidance counselor at Liberty North High School, says another advantage to online programs is “taking online classes now will give a student experience in that area and will help them down the road when working on advanced degrees that require online classes.”
Fuchs is quick to point out that “virtual education is not for every kid.” Many students still need face-to-face teacher contact, and don’t thrive in a rigorous self-paced program. Some students think online programs are easier and will be less work, but that is not the case. “Students are accountable for their progress and are expected to be enrolled and attend,” Nicholson says. Fuchs adds, “This is an extremely difficult program and requires self-discipline.”
Parents and students interested in online schooling, whether full-time or part-time, should contact one of the resources listed, or visit their high school guidance counselor for more information.
Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer from Kearney, MO.