I agree w/ your reasons for kids attending online courses, if those kids are at the upper end of the high school spectrum.
When we read a kids application essay or their first biography essay we hear things like:–It is closer to home–I don’t have to deal with cliques–Teachers aren’t breathing down my back–I can take as much time as I need for _______ (insert homework, test, quiz, etc…)–Most of the kids at school are like me.–I can’t fit into the traditional high school schedule
I think our kids are pretty aware of their educational needs, but again our kids are from the opposite end of the education spectrum than the ones you work with.
The reasons I listed in my original post were my personal reasons and I live in about as rural of an area as it gets. (central Wyoming)
Comment by Kate Logan — June 14, 2006 @ 12:43 pm | Reply
Virtual Schooling in the News.
First from my ASCD SmartBrief for June 6, 2006 (see http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dLxAgmosvStubFHXJn ).
Cyberschool serves California studentsThe California Virtual Academies nonprofit provides its 3,500 K-9 students Internet connectivity, a computer, printer, software and access to a credentialed teacher available online and by phone. The virtual public charter school can spend more on each student than traditional schools do because it has no facility costs. Los Angeles Daily News (6/5)
Oregon online school ends first year amid controversyCritics complain that the student-teacher ratio at Oregon Connections Academy is 50-1 and that the large cyberschool is run by a for-profit private company. However, demand has been so great that enrollment could double this coming school year. The Oregonian (Portland) (6/7)
Next from Distance-Educator.com, Inc.
Distance Learning May Be CloserSource: timesobserver.com
The future may be now for “distance learning” classrooms in the Warren County School District. http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14913.phtml
High School Students Filling Their Heads With CyberspaceSource: journal-news.com
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — Eight hundred Butler County students were able to earn high school credit during the 2005-2006 school year through Butler Tech Online. Available through Butler Tech, the program is about to complete its third year. http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14907.phtml
From my Yahoo news alert for virtual school.
Elgin teen mixes career and school thanks to online learning CentralOhio.com Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:10 AM PDT
MARION – When his sports career started to conflict with school work, Tim Hollenbeck decided to take his schooling to the virtual world. The professional dirt bike racer is now celebrating his success as he graduates from TRECA Digital Academy with a high grade point average.
By Laura Jansen Staff Reporter Maple Ridge News Sat, 03 Jun 2006 9:27 AM PDT
The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The district will expand the online program it already offers with courses available from Garibaldi and Pitt Meadows secondary schools, as well as the community education office.
Virtual classroom comes into home Los Angeles Daily News Mon, 05 Jun 2006 0:09 AM PDT
SANTA CLARITA – More homes may be turned into satellite public schools if parents buy into a program that lets them teach the lessons themselves. Though the children are taught at home, the program is not considered home-schooling.
Virtual school offers free second chance Lawrence Journal-World Tue, 06 Jun 2006 7:50 AM PDT
More than 475 area students are expected to take advantage of a summer program that gives them a second shot at failed courses. The school was host to a similar session Monday.
Regional News Briefs Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Mon, 05 Jun 2006 9:33 PM PDT
Union appeals virtual-school ruling The state’s largest teachers union has appealed a judge’s ruling…
Web school draws pupils, critics The Oregonian Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:03 AM PDT
SCIO — The state’s biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.
New online summer school is a hit with Wilson students Tennessean Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:15 AM PDT
With morning football practice, a night job and a failing grade in English, Greg Thompson has a lot going on. If he didn’t live in Wilson County, this rising high school senior might have to choose between the pigskin and summer school to graduate on time.
Web School Draws Pupils, Critics RedNova Wed, 07 Jun 2006 5:20 PM PDT
By Steven Carter, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. Jun. 7–SCIO — The state’s biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.
Virtual excursions expand horizons The Mining Journal Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:07 AM PDT
MARQUETTE — Students of the Marquette Alternative High School recently took a hike across Isle Royale, walked on the battlegrounds of Gettysburg and took a snowmobile tour through the Upper Peninsula — all without leaving their classroom.
Moving to the Google news Alert for virtual school.
Editorial: Charter school plans are innovative Sheboygan Press – Sheboygan,WI,USA
… Two seek to integrate the arts into the curriculum at the elementary and high school levels. Another emphasizes online learning almost like a virtual school. …
Virtual classroom comes into home Los Angeles Daily News – Los Angeles,CA,USA
… Thirty-five hundred kindergartners through ninth-graders attend the virtual school statewide. They are taught by 170 teachers, at …
District to expand virtual school Maple Ridge News – BC, Canada
By Laura Jansen. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The …
EDITORIAL: In the year of our technology: Report on status and … TMCnet – USA
… It also wisely suggests the state’s Virtual School be fully funded separately from the state school aid formula so more money for technology does not cut …
Virtual School graduates first four-year student Monroe Times – Monroe,WI,USA
… It also held some importance because she’s the first four-year graduate of the Monroe Virtual Charter School, if not the first four-year virtual school grad in …
Florida Virtual School Students Win International Diplomacy … NewsBlaze – Folsom,CA,USA
Leveraging technology, an innovative learning initiative and a passion to build a better global community, three Florida Virtual School (www.FLVS.net) students …
Webcasts alter learning dynamics Whistler Question – B.C., Canada
… George. He is the president of the Virtual School Society, a group working to improve and promote electronic courses for BC students. …
New ‘virtual school’ could start next year Skieston Standard Democrat – Sikeston,MO,USA
… Matt Blunt would create a “virtual school” for Missouri students through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and state Board of …
Finally, the Google new Alert for cyber school.
Linking Midland to the arts Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA
… leaving the state. But like all charter schools, the cyber school was open to other Pennsylvania kids as well. The result is well …
School to offer diverse education Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA
… The school will create an individual educational plan for each student, custom designing course work out of the cyber school’s catalog. …
Schools seek lesson on cyber bullies The Desert Sun – Palm Springs,CA,USA
… With “cyber bullies” now an increasing reality, school officials are taking notice and looking at their options for disciplining students who harass and …
Cyber school begets an education empire Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA
… time employees and a $4.4 million budget. The cyber school alone has about 4,400 students, 400 employees and a $30 million budget. …
Franklin pitches new cyber plan News-Herald – Franklin,PA,USA
… Area School District officials as they explore the possibility of teaming up with Beaver Area School District to offer students a local cyber school option. …
Cybersecurity contests go national Register – London,England,UK
… of students from ten different Iowa high schools faced exactly that scenario during a single night in late May in the High School Cyber Defense Competition. …
Cyber school is part of an intricate web Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA
… Dr. Trombetta is looking at an educational model in which a cyber school teacher working in a classroom in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center — of which …
Tags: virtual school , cyber school , high school , education