Parents Talk: Going Back to School Online

Would you let your child forgo the traditional classroom and learn by computer instead?

Lately, I've noticed a large amount of advertising for K-12 online school programs through MTS Minnesota Connections Academy and Minnesota Virtual Academy, among others.

I decided to find out more.

Minnesota public school students may enroll in a full-time online program or they may choose to take supplemental courses (taken in place of a course period during the regular school day).

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, all online courses offered through certified programs are: Taught by Minnesota licensed teachers; Meet or exceed state academic standards; Transfer to other public school districts; Apply to high school graduation.

If online learning is approved as a school option by the state's department, is it a good idea for your child?

A report released last month by university researchers is the latest to question the merits of schools run by K12 Inc., and other online learning progams by extension. K12 is the nation's largest virual school company. In Minnesota, the company runs Minnesota Virtual Academy, IQ Academy Minnesota, Insight School of Minnesota and eMinnesota Online Academy.

The report, titled Understanding and Improving Full-Time Virtual Schools (released by the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado) found that students enrolled in K12 lag behind in math and reading compared to their traditionally-taught peers. K12 disputes these results.

On the other hand, there are benefits to cyber school.

For kids with time constraints, like rigorous athletic schedules or illnesses requiring intense treatment, the flexibility of online schooling could be the answer.

Students who have trouble with the traditional route in some way can also find reward in the online option.

“Plainly put, my kids were teased brutally and the public school system did nothing about it," one mom said in a Minnesota Parent article.

Would you consider online school for your child? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments below.