My last article picked up a discussion from a previous topic about online schools and online public education. The article mainly focused on the area of Texas. Texas started its first full virtual public school. It along with a few other states are now giving the students an option of attending class online.
The school described is greatly confused with homeschooling. While the child does stay at home, the parents are not the educators. The child is still taught by a certified teacher.
There are over 500 students enrolled in the online public school. These students include those who need to work above grade level, below grade level, and those who cannot attend school due to medical reasons.
The program was designed by the company K12. This company is currently responsible for educating over 39,000 students in 17 virtual state run schools. The company is responsible for the technology, the curriculum, and the customer service support. In return they receive some of the state funding.
So far, the result of virtual schools has been positive in Texas. The students who attended virtual schools scored above the state requirement on the TAKS.
The idea has not been in effect long enough yet to be thoroughly researched. There is no concert evidence to show that the technological learning is more effective than the classroom setting. However, advocates of it are working to prove the point.
Most teachers, program designers, teachers, and advocates will admit that the design is not for every child. But no school design really can meet the needs of every child.
I am in favor of the design and use of these schools as alternatives for those students and families who prefer this method of education. However, I hope that the virtual schools are never thought of as a total replacement for our traditional school building setting.