Online high school offered as an alternative by Canan Tasci
From The Sun: San Bernardino and The Inland Empire
Overcrowded classrooms. A lack of lockers. Too much socializing.These are just some of the reasons Sheree Earle of Upland is considered enrolling her daughter in an online high school.
“She wants to be a veterinarian, and she needs to get into a good school, so she needs to be focused,” said Earle of her 14-year-old daughter Kaitlyn. “I’m looking at this as an option. It’s a weird concept for me. I mean, I don’t get how you can socialize online – but not for her.”
But what seems to be odd for some people is second nature to others.
An online high school offers an alternative for students who might not be comfortable in a classroom setting or are at risk of falling through the cracks.
Online learning is flexible, meets necessary academic requirements and provides necessary aid in sluggish economic times, said Carolyn Mills, consultant for the state Department of Education.
The idea of online learning has picked up steam as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been advocating for the state to be the first in the nation to offer free digital textbooks to high school students.
But the idea of an online high school is in its early stages, Mills said.
She cautions when looking for an online school be sure it’s properly accredited, follows the same guidelines of the state Board of Education in terms of academics and curriculum and is approved by the state board or the county office of education.
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