High School Courses Online

A new survey conducted by the Center for Digital Education (CDE) reveals significant growth in online education at primary and secondary schools throughout the country.

The study, titled Online Learning Policy and Practice: A Survey of States, is intended to evaluate online learning policies and practices at the K-12 level.

The CDE found that at least 25 states now have online education initiatives, up from 15 a year ago. Nearly half of the states in the U.S. offer full-time online programs created by state legislation, administered by a state education agency or directly funded by a state appropriation.

The survey also revealed that two states have privately-run online learning programs and that another four are in the process of developing online education initiatives.

"Online learning remains one of the most powerful and transformative mediums for U.S. education," said CDE vice president Marina Leight. "We applaud the policy makers across the nation who are driving the creation of new programs, and commend the leaders with already-existing programs who continue to ensure online learning is a top priority," she added.

For the second year in a row, Florida was ranked first in terms of state-run online education programs. The Florida Virtual School services nearly 125,000 students and has seen a 25 percent increase in attendance compared to last year.

Other states leading in online instruction include South Carolina, New Mexico, Hawaii and Michigan. John Huber, leader of the Insight School of Minnesota, a personalized online high school, feels that virtual learning is the future in the K-12 education system, the Star News reports. Huber sees a world where "online learning is delivering significant improvements in the educational system: helping to reduce the nation's high school dropout rate; bringing students back into public schools; providing new opportunities for students and helping prepare them for college and life after high school."

Students, administrators and policy-makers see the transition to a virtual learning experience at the K-12 level as an opportunity to save money and increase flexibility for students and teachers. Many also believe that online learning at the primary and secondary levels will prepare students for the ever expanding world of online education at colleges and universities. Brittany Hagen, student at the Insight School, feels less intimidated in the virtual learning environment, finding that she asks more questions and is more involved in her own education. Hagen adds that taking classes online requires more discipline, something her parents feel will prepare her well for the rigors of higher education, the news source reports.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts officials have also begun to offer advanced online courses to juniors and seniors who are planning to go to college.

"It's a unique experience but it's great because you get used to the college experience," said Peter Blum, a Falmouth High School senior who is currently taking an advanced placement computer science course, quoted by the Cape Cod Times. "I actually think I've been learning more because we're moving at a [faster] rate [and] we're not being slowed down by other people in the class." Karen Orfitelli, a freshman English teacher at Falmouth High, feels that distance learning at the high school level is here to stay.

"All you have to do is go online and you'll see every university in America is offering [online courses] and now you don't even have to attend a brick-and-mortar classroom," Orfitelli said, quoted the news source.

"You can get your masters and your doctorate online, and it's not hokey either. You can get bona fide degrees virtually," she added.

Today, over 3.5 million students are taking online courses and earning online college degrees. At the secondary school level, over 700,000 high school students are taking one or more courses online and nearly 40 states have established state-led virtual schools.