From Deseret News archives:
Utah's online Electronic High School leads the nation in student enrollment
Currently Utah has the largest online learning program in the country. Florida is a distant second with just over 20,000 enrolled.
Richard Siddoway, principal of the Electronic High School, said Utah had a jump on the rest of the nation in establishing the program. While other states started creating online courses in the late '90s, the program debuted in Utah in 1993 before Netscape, Explorer and other browsers.
Students back then used file transfer protocol.
"There was a great deal of skepticism when we began that we were going to be a diploma mill," Siddoway said. "But when they learned that courses were equally rigorous or more so that went away from polite skepticism to finally embracing it."
The program has doubled each year since 2000, the year officials established a solid course management system.
"I think what is happening here are kids are very familiar with the online world they've just become a very technologically savvy group," Siddoway said. "I think the digital divide has closed remarkably, and every kid knows what he's doing."
"The anytime, anywhere, anyplace delivery has just opened up options for kids," Siddoway said. "And with the state board moving toward increased graduation requirements, I am sure we are going to become more popular."
Currently the program has around 150 classes, 100 teachers and 51,000 students. The courses are free, and students can enroll anytime during the school year.
"If a person got their entire education through Electronic High School then I think they would really be missing something, but as long as it is a class here and there, then I think it is beneficial," said Rick Jaramillo, assistant principal at West High.
Ryan Burton, a senior at the Academy for Math Engineering and Science, opted to take a Spanish class this summer online to free up some course time his senior year. At AMES, students are required to take three years of foreign language and four years of math, science and English classes to graduate.
They also have the option of taking college courses for free so Burton said having one less class to worry about helps.
Recent comments
I just signed up for this, and am awaiting my submission (if that is...
Taylor | Aug. 25, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
I was going through EHS.
They told me before signing up that books...
Eric | July 15, 2008 at 1:01 p.m.
I am doing EHS too, but the classes seem to be way too easy to be as...
Karen | April 20, 2008 at 10:40 a.m.
- Nov. jobless rate falls to 10 pct. 7:30 a.m.
- AP: GM to announce changes 7:17 a.m.
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday 4:23 a.m.
- Utah Jazz going green with unis 4:17 a.m.
- Celtics stop Spurs 4:15 a.m.
- Utah Jazz gameday 4:14 a.m.
- Harpring's NBA career is over 4:11 a.m.
- Past Mr. Football winners 4:09 a.m.
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch 4:08 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 2:50 a.m.
- Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- Mitchell said to share LeBaron traits
- Aggies shoot past Cougars
- Phoenix signs off on LDS temple
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- Toddler dies trapped under mattress
- Crews to seal Nutty Putty Cave
- Doctor deems Mitchell competent
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
406 - Max Hall issues apology
393 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
361 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
287 - Utes won't respond to Hall
278 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
220 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
188 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
175 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
161
Sounds like APX needs some kind of federal regulation if they promise free...
There are polygamous groups all over the state doing the same thing. Let's...
Yes it is possible. I went to school at BYU and moved to Aggie area. I have...
i find it hard to believe any person would think this man does not deserve to...
And the same could be said for Glenn Beck. But, then thats OK, right?
It's too late for disclosures now that the elections are over so why bother...
For sure Shurtleff will not allow it to happen for some inventive reason. If...
Wonderful column-very thoughtful!
Thanks for all you did for Utah State. Do you happen to have any grandkids...
Just a question for the all wise McCartney…What about people like...


