In yet another move to try to fix education on the cheap rather than to invest in what we know works, a number of Texas Legislators are pushing various forms of virtual schools. In fact, a virtual high school has been proposed that would allow students to transfer from traditional public schools to the Virtual High School (VSN) as a full-time student.
I can see the attraction of such an idea–students in rural schools or impoverished urban schools who do not have access to quality teachers or advanced courses will now have access to them.
Yet, there is little research in this area. A report out today, however, sheds some light on this area.
http://credo.stanford.edu/reports/PA%20State%20Report_20110404_FINAL.pdf
The research was conducted by the highly respected Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO). They arrived at some very interesting findings.
First, students attending cyber charter schools were more likely to be white, not economically disadvantaged, have higher initial test scores, and to be repeating a grade than students in regular charter schools. Thus, while proponents of virtual charter schools may push forth an argument of greater equity in access, the research in Pennsylvania shows that:
students taking advantage of a virtual school were more affluent, White, and higher-performing than students enrolling in brick-and-mortar charter schools.
Second, students in cyber charter schools scored significantly lower in both reading and mathematics than students in traditional schools and lower in mathematics than students in brick-and-mortar charter schools.
Third, 100% of the 8 cyber charter schools performed worse than their matched traditional schools.Further, the authors conclude (2011, p. 11):
In every subgroup with significant effects, cyber charter performance is lower than the brick and mortar
performance.
Given such evidence, why are our legislators rushing to jump off the cliff of cyber charter schools when the best available evidence produced by independent analysts show that such schools will be unsuccessful?
I think our leaders should think far, far more carefully about student outcomes instead of creating cheaper ways to educate students while allowing private entities to make a profit from our tax dollars!
Catherine Lugg
April 15, 2011
In many ways, on-line schooling fails. It violates what we’ve learned from ed psych for the last 100 years. For most students, it’s the interpersonal relationships that are key to learning–hard to establish those relationships on line–not impossible, but very difficult. Some things aren’t going to translate in an on-line format (see instrumental music lessons). And it’s very easy to just stare dully at the screen, not having to comprehend.
It’s really bad public policy. But these days, when stupid is on steroids, I await the policy proposal from AEI that touts “on-line remedial academies” for those students who bombed out in their first on-line placement.
Seriously….
Texas Trout
April 17, 2011
Virtual schools offer an additional option for students. Some students who have been in traditional brick and mortar school buildings experience additional life/social challenges that have interfered with their studies. Virtual School provide the opportunity for students who won’t have to deal with bullies and other life obstacles that interfere with their successful high school completion.
Offering the Virtual option to kids allows them to complete coursework from home the library or from practically anyplace. It is much more important for young people who are approaching their 19th birthday to complete their HS virtually so that they can get on with their lives. Getting on with their lives includes many possibilities such as trade school, military service, Jr. College, 4 year colleges or even a virtual university.
As young people get older it shouldn’t be necessary for them to stay in the traditional brick and mortar high school so that they can complete their coursework and requirements for graduation. It is time that all of us enter the 21st century. Going to school and learning does not mean sitting in desk in a classroom with a teacher lecturing from the front of her classroom. Learning is learning and today it comes in multiple formats.
Dr. Ed Fuller
April 17, 2011
Yet, as Catherine points out, research in a variety of fields suggests that the very kids who struggle in schools are the most in need of positive, supportive relationships with adults in order to succeed. In virtual schools, this is far less likely to occur given that one moderator will have hundreds of students. The reduction in personal relationships will hinder rather than help such students. Further, the research cited in this study shows such schools have a negative effect on student achievement. Finally, what will happen is that schools will push out the kids who are causing trouble, those kids will enroll in the virtual school and hire someone to do all the work for them, and they will have learned nothing. They will then fail at the next level and no one will be held accountable because they “passed” their courses and tests in the virtual school.
Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr
May 1, 2011
We still have allot to learn about online teaching. Ed points out what the current stats tell us about the effectiveness of virtual classrooms. We provide training to teachers for face-to-face classrooms have have also come up with mediocre results. It takes time to develop a good classroom teacher. And, it has taken decades to develop instructional models that have helped educators improve their pedagogical skills. I believe that it is going to take some time for virtual classroom instructors to develop their skills and for school systems to set up instructional structures to support online learning. It takes a good kick in the rear to see that there are no “silver bullets”. Thanks Ed.
Galina Schuller
October 29, 2011
Fully understand you, I made my blog but isn’t so good as yours
susan rea
December 24, 2012
As a highlight, I will add.. my son who is ADHD attended a virtual school this year supported by the school district. We are affluent and my son is white/hispanic as a demographic. I would not choose this option again frankly. I agree that even though he is in sports, I believe he should have the supportive relationships even if he needs to learn how to manage impulse actions better. He was not really in trouble in b/m school. He has a harder time focusing on his studies while in a class. I think the option of 1/2 a year is best. A parent can take the 1st half of the year and work out bad habits.. then send the child back to standard education. If you want cyber, supplement with a local college class.