As the population of students in the United States has grown and become increasingly diverse, a variety of entrepreneurs have taken it upon themselves to provide a service that is both effective and efficient in meeting the needs of this diverse and growing population. Over the past decade or so, the American school system, from K-12 to higher education, has seen the arrival and rise of what has become known as distance learning education.
For parents who are looking to supplement their existing homeschooling curriculum or are in need of an outside source of help, distance learning schools represent a viable and effective option for a child’s education. However, as with any market or field that experiences quick growth and high demand, parents of homeschooled children have to exercise care and caution when selecting the right distance learning school for their child or children because not all distance learning schools are the same.
The following are five suggestions for parents to consider when selecting the right distance learning school or program for their child:
- Can the school’s program be “tailored”? – Some distance learning schools offer programs that are uniquely tailored to the needs of the student or to the budget of the parent. Consider what the school offers or doesn’t offer, and whether or not the program can be individually adapted. Some schools offer more flexibility than others.
- Does the school offer legitimate interaction with “real” teachers? – Besides the fact that some distance learning schools might not even be staffed with actual credentialed teachers, parents also have to consider the amount of interaction that the program offers. Do the school’s teachers offer regular communication and timely responses, or will students and parents be sitting at the computer waiting for an answer to a question?
- Is the school accredited? – By far, the most important aspect of a distance learning school that parents have to consider is whether or not the school itself has been accredited by an officially recognized accrediting body, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. By ensuring the legitimacy of the school and its curriculum through an accreditation inquiry, parents can be sure that their children will receive a proper, and academically legitimate, education.
- What type of curriculum does the school offer? – Parents need to consider if the school’s curriculum matches-up with their academic philosophy. In addition, parents should also determine the specific type of instruction that the program offers. Is the curriculum aligned to state standards? Are the lessons age or grade appropriate? Do the program’s lesson offer the opportunity for developing and using critical thinking skills, or are lesson delivered in a simple question and answer format?
- Will the program help a homeschooled student get into college? – Ultimately, parents use distance learning courses as a way of helping their children fulfill diploma requirements as well as college admissions requirements. As such, it is important for parents to determine if an online distance program is offering courses and classes that will not only transfer into a high school diploma, but into a potential college degree. Take the time to look at the program’s graduation rates as well as the number of students from the program that are being accepted by 4-year colleges and universities.
