| Throughout the school year, parents and caregivers | | | | resulting in a diverse and unique student body. A typical |
| everywhere are thinking about and making plans for | | | | virtual class may include students who are far ahead |
| their children’s education—and there is a lot to | | | | of their peers in a traditional setting, as well as those |
| think about. Specifically, “what kind of school should | | | | who are behind or require additional assistance in |
| my child attend?” With so many options available, | | | | certain areas. Or, students who need a rigorous, yet |
| from the traditional brick-and-mortar public schools to | | | | flexible learning schedule to accommodate a sports or |
| charter schools to religious schools, students have | | | | acting career. It also brings together students from |
| more educational choices than ever. One option is the | | | | different towns. Yet these students are learning |
| increasingly popular and innovative virtual school. | | | | together, from each other, and sharing on many levels. |
| Virtual schools started appearing in the late 1990s and | | | | While many parents worry about the social implications |
| are currently available in several states across the | | | | of having their children enrolled in a virtual school, many |
| country – including California. According to A | | | | of the schools take this into account and make it easy |
| National Primer on K-12 Online Learning from the North | | | | for the kids to interact with their peers. Some virtual |
| American Council for Online Learning (April 2007), at | | | | schools provide planned field trips where students can |
| the end of 2006, 25 states offered state-led online | | | | interact with one another in person, and online bulletin |
| learning programs, and 18 states were home to 147 | | | | boards where kids can talk about the latest Harry |
| virtual charter schools serving over 65,000 students. | | | | Potter movie or meet a new friend with similar |
| Yet, despite the steady growth in interest and | | | | interests from another state. |
| enrollment, many people don’t understand how | | | | The dedication to your child’s education is also |
| virtual schools work or the numerous benefits they | | | | paramount to succeeding in a virtual learning |
| provide – to both students and our education | | | | environment. Parents or caregivers directly contribute |
| system. | | | | to and participate in the student’s day-to-day |
| Virtual learning enables school districts to deliver a | | | | education process while lessons can be delivered |
| flexible educational option via the Internet and allows | | | | when and where it works best for both. For example, |
| educators to address the specific gifts or challenges | | | | Carissa Lim is currently enrolled in a virtual school |
| of the individual student. Virtual students have notable | | | | program and is taught by her mother, Nancy Lim. |
| educational support as they learn from home with | | | | Carissa is also a gymnast who spends a great deal of |
| parents or caregivers while working with teachers | | | | time practicing and competing in her sport – a |
| over the Web. Virtual schools typically provide a | | | | traditional school schedule and environment was |
| print-rich curriculum that combines textbooks and | | | | challenging and did not support her lifestyle The virtual |
| hands-on materials along with technology tools. | | | | learning model offers families like the Lims an |
| But what does all that really mean? The benefits of | | | | alternative to public school education with a flexible |
| virtual education come in many forms. For the student, | | | | schedule while still providing an enriched and challenging |
| “wearing your pajamas to class” may be one of | | | | curriculum. |
| them, but it’s far from the defining characteristic. | | | | “My daughter needs an outlet for her athletic |
| Above all, students are offered high-quality, highly | | | | passion and personality and she just wasn’t happy |
| accountable, individualized learning. Teachers, parents | | | | in a traditional public school,” said Nancy Lim, a |
| and students work together to plan the educational | | | | virtual school parent. “Virtual learning allows us to |
| path that is right for the student. Does the student | | | | advance in subjects she is interested in and allows her |
| require additional work in Algebra? Are they interested | | | | to pursue gymnastics at the same time – I |
| in learning Chinese? Do they want to focus on one | | | | couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.” |
| subject for several days? These are the types of | | | | Parents of students in virtual schools consistently give |
| questions and options virtual learning affords. With | | | | high remarks on their children’s education. For |
| virtual learning, the actual school work and education | | | | families who find that traditional schools are not |
| are the main focus, while the time and place it gets | | | | providing the individualized attention they want, virtual |
| done is secondary. | | | | schools continue to provide a highly effective and |
| As a result, virtual schools attract all types of students, | | | | successful alternative. |