I can tell you that online high schools are a wonderful invention. I can
tell you these schools suit many learners. However, I can also tell you
that they are most assuredly not for everyone. Yes, students do drop out
of online high schools and in numbers that represent a significant
percentage of students.
I like online high schools. I have written a
book about online high schools. And, yet, I get these heart-wrenching
emails from parents wanting to "fix" their child's education. Little
Johnny or Little Peggy Sue has been kicked out of their third high school
for poor behavior.
How can you know which is the right choice for you and your child? Take
a look at these five "rules" and see where you fall. Nothing is absolute.
All five of these could describe you and it still may be worth the effort.
Only you can know what you are willing to do.
1. Don't choose an online high school if you have trouble
working independently. Online high schools are most successful
for students who can get the job done. If it was hard getting the work
done when you had multiple teachers, a guidance counselor, parents, and
friends all encouraging you, how much harder will it be when you have to
do all that yourself?
2. Don't choose an online high school if you have been kicked
out of many other high schools. The one caveat is that you have
someone in your life who is willing to act like a school teacher for you
and push you to get work done. Again, this is not an absolute. Evaluate
what gets you kicked out of school. Is it something that will not spill
over into your online high school?
3. Don't choose an online high school if you are not willing to
work hard. This is most decidedly not easier than attending class
each day. The drop-out rate for online high schools is significant. You
will work hard. You will likely work harder than most public schools
require.
4. Don't choose an online high school if you are not willing to
choose an accredited school (no matter how much you may like the program).
Why make your life harder than it has to be? Unaccredited schools are not
typically acceptable to employers and colleges. The one exception would be
programs authorized by state departments of education.
5. Don't choose an online high school if you are using it to
escape. I offer this one carefully because the word "escape" has
many meanings. Escaping public schools by going online is an acceptable
choice. Escaping five-day-a-week school can be more problematic. Often
these students think that life would be so much more grand if they could
only go to class in their jammies and wake up whenever they like. Be
careful!
I still think online high schools are a great option for many students
for a variety of reasons. Just make sure that you have thoroughly thought
out all of your options before you embark on that new adventure.
