Reader comments
Online schooling gives kids, parents new options for education

Teacher mom | 1:08 a.m. May 16, 2009

I got my degree in education at BYU and later a master's elsewhere. I teach for an online school, and it's wonderful. The kids are great, and the structure works for many kids who for one reason or another don't find the typical public school to be the right fit for them. This is definitely the wave of the future, esp. when you take into consideration how mobile people are now, epidemics, school violence and bullying, and a host of other concerns. It does require parental supervision and student dedication, but it is a wholly viable alternative.

disillusioned | 1:29 a.m. May 16, 2009

I think on-line education is a possible option--with some positives and negatives. I think for kids with major auto-immune issues it could be great--but for kids with other special needs, especially learning disabilities (and even many supposed gifted kids), what they REALLY need is to learn how to interact in a REAL social environment. They cannot learn that on-line. I would prefer that on-line be an option for half a day--or for a couple periods for most students--rather than all day. Mainly because (although people scoff at the thought), we still (and will always) live in social environments. You cannot get and keep a job as an adult if you do not know how to get along socially in the world. Very few people will be able, even in coming years, to hide away NEVER interacting with other humans, so our public schools need to provide adequate social interactions as well. Believe me. I've seen the results of the opposite (too few diverse social environments). It was neither positive nor pretty!

I think | 6:38 a.m. May 16, 2009

it is wonderful to have this option for parents if they so desire to do so.

Comments continue below

ss | 7:32 a.m. May 16, 2009

This is a great thing. Kids are not built to sit for hours and hours every day. And keeping ADHD kids in from recess is ignorant and compounds their problem. They should be out playing hard every recess. Why aren't teachers more educated about how to deal with these issues?

Losing inter-personal skills | 7:38 a.m. May 16, 2009

Yet one more way to help our kids get plugged into electronics and away from human beings. Maybe this kind of program can help give information to a kid but that kid will suffer with their ability to interact with their peers. Let's be honest, human interaction is the most important thing kids learn in school not facts they will never use again. Do these parents want their kids to end up working from home one day too?

Interesting | 8:18 a.m. May 16, 2009

Can't say I've heard a whole lot about these types of schools. How would you rate this type of school, compared to traditional school, regarding social development and behavior? I'm not suggesting traditional is the end all for helping a kid be "normal" but the personal social interaction is hard to mimic online isn't it?

More than ABCs | 8:22 a.m. May 16, 2009

Schools teach more than ABCs, they teach patriotism, conflict resolution, appreciation of diversity, how to function in society and how to deal with different opinions. Our public schools unified our once great nation, brought everyone together for a common experience and was the foundation for the greatest nation on earth. Now charters, home schools and private schools erode our unity. Our selfish "me attitude" separates our community into factions and undermines public support for schools that once brought us together. The "give me mine" and "I want life on my terms" attitudes are destroying our nation. This selfishness is shameful.

Of course there are poor urban schools in major crime infested cities, but our local public schools are amazing places for children to learn to read and write while learning to be part of their community, part of Utah and part of America.

It is sad to watch the system that made our nation great slowly being dismantled. Our nation will surely follow the same path.

Despite faults | 8:37 a.m. May 16, 2009

As a school counselor, I have found that online courses, just like traditional courses, vary greatly in quality and difficulty. Parents definitely need to be involved to ensure their kids get a good education. I like best the models that require students to meet on a campus at least occasionally. It allows them to interact with teachers and students--socialization is as critical as education in the healthy development of children. There are a couple of charter schools using this model that will open in the next few months, but I don't remember their names.

Anom | 8:50 a.m. May 16, 2009

I call online schools and colleges buy a degree. This is why the American public is not getting smarter. It is called enabling.

At home mom | 9:06 a.m. May 16, 2009

I am a teacher myself, holding a Master of Arts in Teaching. Both as a parent and teacher, I see virtual learning as a great opportunity for children who may need a different option than the traditional classroom. Many people work from home, so virtual learning is following that trend, as well. This creates a great option for students and teachers alike.

Great Vision | 9:19 a.m. May 16, 2009

There is nothing in this article that says one way or another anything about applications for interpersonal skills (or lack thereof). Thus, there is no reason to worry about it without further investigation.

Now that that's out of the way -- think about the fantastic application this can have for divorced (or never married) parents. We no longer have to worry about who's house the child will live in due to scholastic reasons. The children can go to school online and spend 50/50 time with each parent, even if they live in opposing states.

Now let's see if anyone starts seeing the vision and considering the realistic ways of applying it.

What is wrong with working from | 9:29 a.m. May 16, 2009

I can't believe that people are more concerned with the social aspect of education than they are about the actual level of eduacation received. These kids still get to interact with other people. Doesn't being on a sports team, going to the pool with friends from the neighborhood, playing with siblings, shopping with parents or attending church count as social interaction? I certainly think that some of the social inteaction that occurs at school is less than desirable.
My kids are public schooled, but I can see the benefit of online schools.
A lot of people work from home and I think that more and more people will be working from home in the future.

home school mom | 10:03 a.m. May 16, 2009

As a parent of a child who has been home schooled for the last 3 years, I have a couple of things to add. My daughter hasn't even had a cold for those 3 years. She hasn't had the peer pressure that makes
kids follow each other down the wrong paths. She likes herself and who she is and hasn't had anyone to tell her otherwise. She took online classes for the past year and they and her instructors have been great to deal with. She will attend regular high school next year and I'll just bet she comes home sick within the first few weeks and I'm not looking forward to that at all. She also can set her own pace with the online schooling, which means she can spend more time on one area or less, whichever helps her retain the material best. Look at the headlines about our public schools. How often is it good? Where do kids learn to be so violent with each other? At home or at school?

To All those that think... | 10:10 a.m. May 16, 2009

the only way you can get social interaction is in public school. WRONG! To me that is the worst place to learn social skills. I was appalled at what my kids brought home from school and finally removed them. It is far from normal to put every one the same age together in a classroom and expect normal social behavior. We want children to learn good behavior and that is learned by interacting with all ages in all settings. They are grown up now and are doing just fine. They are all very educated and are now teaching their own children at home. They get plenty of social interaction and are trained to treat others kindly. They are independent and don't follow what ever their friends are doing. Most of all they are happy children. I think this is a great idea!

get real ss | 10:18 a.m. May 16, 2009

Why should elementary school teachers be expected to be experts on every possible problem that a student who walks through their classroom door brings with them? They are already expected to be experts in teaching reading, mathematics, English, social studies, Utah history, physical education, art, computers, etc. They do a fantastic job with all of that in addition to playing social worker, nurse, surrogate parent and child psychologist. Despite all they do, there are always children who have needs that cannot be met in our public schools for whatever reason. Online schools offer parents options that were not available before. I like the idea - especially if parents are required to be more involved in their students education - which is how it should be. Too bad we can't require parents to go to public schools with their kids. Maybe then the genereal public become better informed about the challenges facing public eduaction and come up with some real solutions instead of just teacher bashing all the time!

Humans are social | 10:25 a.m. May 16, 2009

Humans are the most social of all animals. We need face-to-face social interaction almost as much as we need to breathe. When we isolate ourselves in our homes, we lose the ability to know appropriate ways to interact with our fellow man. Shutting ourselves in leads too many people to think their views of the world and life are the only ones that can be right. We become more selfish when we are alone. the more we are alone the more we stop thinking of others. This life is about helping each other.
It is sad to me that so many of us are complete strangers with our neighbors.
Just because we as adults don't want to interact with other people doesn't mean our kids don't desperately need social interaction. If you think traditional school is not teaching your kid enough then supplement their learning at home, but don't neglect them from being exposed to the outside world. What is going to happen when these kids travel to another state or country when they have had very little human interaction besides their families?

Computer versus teacher | 10:31 a.m. May 16, 2009

Really some of you think that a computer will be more understanding of your child than a teacher?
What a messed up view of the world you have.

I am so tired of hearing "my child has ADD," "My child's needs aren't being met," "The teacher just doesn't understand my child."

These all sound like excuses for your kids to be brats and get away with whatever they want. Start parenting and stop enabling your kids.

EVERY CHILD has special needs, not just your kid. Try teaching your child coping skills to deal with some of their problems. We all use coping skills to get by in this world. Don't let your kid think they should get special treatment because they have a problem millions of other humans have.

Anonymous | 10:37 a.m. May 16, 2009

Why do home schooling parents always sound so arrogant??? I dont care if you home school your children for whatever reason... your choice isnt *better* or *worse* then the one I made for my children, and your higher-than-thou attitude leaves a wrong impression of home schooling.

Darleen | 11:06 a.m. May 16, 2009

Lot's of anger out there...I wonder what's behind it...could it be fear? Actually I agree with this article, but just as our public system is basically a one-size-fits-all model, online school will fit some but not all students. It will fit many especially those that are bored now and want to move ahead, or conversely those that need a slower pace. And as for social needs, school is certainly not the only place to get that. Let's be a little more open minded folks and look at many options for our children. Our democracy is getting in the way of our pursuit of excellence in our schools. We are not all the same and do not all need the same thing at the same time. That's what's getting us in trouble. Do we tell our best athletes to slow down and wait for the others to catch up because it isn't fair? I think not. And many other countries are surpassing us because of this. Let's reexamine our goals for educating our students. Let's not confuse opportunity with performance.

20 years experience | 11:26 a.m. May 16, 2009

When my kids were old enough to attend seminary I encouraged them to take a few classes at the local school too. Some did and some didn't. One of my children attended charter school for a year and then because of a move, attended public for a year. My two youngest have attended public this past year.
What I can say with all the experiences we have had is that there is no "one size fits all" for any of it. There are some things that my children have missed out on being at home. There are MANY things I am glad they have missed. As the younger ones have attended public elementary they have reported many rotten things that go on, but also many good things. I have a 16 year old that recently chose to attend public (for extra classes) and thanked me for not making him be in that environment prior to that. (He will graduate this year with an online program.) He has loved the experience at public, but really sees the contrast.
As far as social goes. If you have enough children, a neighborhood, scouts, church and other activities, you have enough.

GrammaSue | 11:31 a.m. May 16, 2009

One of the great things about the U.S. is the right to free speech! It's amazing to me that many who have commented have not considered that a short news article cannot contain all the relevant details, and so have rushed to judgment without knowing more. The salient feature is that families have choices in the education of their children.
I agree that socialization is one function of schooling, but online and other non-public options most often carry out that function through face-to-face co-curricular activities. Families are also aware of this need and provide for it through church,community, and athletic organizations.
The smile on Ben's face in the photo did not happen in his two years of public school attendance. I know. I'm Ben's grandmother, a public school educator, and proponent of personal responsibility. Although ADHD, Ben is well-behaved when expectations are clear. His parents-father, mother, and 2 step-parents- work hard and cooperate to help him cope in diverse real-world situations. Their decision for online school is right for Ben, who is part of 2 families living in 2 different towns.

Anon. | 11:32 a.m. May 16, 2009

Well said, Darleen.

All parents have a choice of how we raise our children and how much involvement we have in the outside world. If the only social experience a child receives is in public school, is that healthy?

There are so many ways that home school children can and do interact with other children and the outside world:

Sports classes
Science clubs
Chess clubs
Choir
Book groups
Field trips - as a group or as a family
Scouts
Church
Service projects

In any form of education our learning is only limited by the amount of effort, time, or imagination we put into the experience.

Socialization? | 12:26 p.m. May 16, 2009

100 percent of the anti-social behavior my kids experienced was in government schools. When we brought it to the attention of the administrators we then became the problem. No attempt was made to stop bullying by school officials. When they explained to the bullies that my son had epilepsy due to a head injury then they would aim for his head on purpose. When we bypassed the school and went to the parents after several incidents we discovered they had not be talked to one time by school officials. You can have your government schools and their "Socialization" (bullying, sex talk, drugs, crime). I amazes me how many people expect their kids to tolerate behavior that would never be tolerated in the workplace.

Education needs to change | 1:11 p.m. May 16, 2009

Our education system is messed up. Kids are not pushed enough and some kids are pushed too hard. A big part of those problems is that we claim we value education but we really don't.
We want public schools to meet all our kids needs and yet we don't pay for it. We want the brightest kids to be pushed further and yet we don't do it ourselves at home. We want our resource kids to get all the help they need but we don't want to teach them to help themselves. We want individual attention for our child and yet we complain when bonds are passed to build new schools and reduce class sizes.
Our society is obsessed with getting the best but not paying for it. And then we complain when we can't get the best.
We need to be more like Israel and other countries were they have magnet schools for everything. You pick the school that best fits your kid's interests, needs, etc.
Our problem is that we think we are all equal in every way.

Oh please | 2:06 p.m. May 16, 2009

I'm so sick to death of the argument that a child can't gain social skills unless they are in traditional school. What the crap is their family then?

Anon 808 | 2:41 p.m. May 16, 2009

This is the type of kid who says. The Temperature of our Thermometer is Real Cool.

about time. | 2:56 p.m. May 16, 2009

I wish that I had been given this option when I was in school. I had a really hard time going to school because of an attack I had at school when I was 6. Had this option been available to me, my parents would have saved money on hospital and doctor bills and I would not have been punished for the schools inability to keep me safe.

I don't get it. . . | 3:28 p.m. May 16, 2009

I wished I could understand the fear of those who are against any alternative to public schools (i.e. online, home school, distance education, etc.). I've been trying for years to understand why they are so vehemently opposed to anything different, why they are so adamant that all kids need the "socialization that comes from public schooling." Why not allow differences?

Can anyone shed some light? I suspect it's because theses very angry public school proponents may have at some point felt prodded to take their children out of public schools themselves, but don't want the huge responsibility that comes with it. (

Lots of public schooled parents don't care either way--they can recognize the need for alternatives. Why don't the others?)

Kay | 4:04 p.m. May 16, 2009

I have had my daughter in Washington Online since January after she had been in public school from K through 4th and I am very happy with the result. She is now a more confident, happier child. She has had plenty of social opportunities through dance class, church, playing with her friends and even the events planned by the Washington Online staff. I have been pleased with the curriculum. She does not sit at the computer all day...much of it is assigned through the computer, but is done at a desk as it would be in public school. Two of my sons will be joining her next year. I'm looking forward to a great year.

Anonymous | 4:10 p.m. May 16, 2009

Where have you been Utah..... this has been going on in other states for quite a few years, which we took part in and it was amazing. I have homeschooled for many years and these were awesome options. Totally depends on your situation, your childs learning style, etc. etc. Our kids LOVED online learning.
The whole point is to give your child the BEST education possible, whatever the means... bottom line.
We involved our kids in church, sports, volunteer functions, scouting, etc. to have all the social time they wanted and we had more than we could handle at times.
Our house was grand-central-station with all the neighborhood kids so social issues..... give me a break. You have obviously never homeschooled.

Now, our kids (who struggled in public school) are in upper high school on the National Honor Society and Honor Roll so homeschooling.........LOVE IT!!

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. May 16, 2009

If you had watched Obama's great speach of ASU you would have hear stories about kids educated in public schools who went on and accomplished great things. One girl started junior college at 15 and was a ASU grad at 17. Another kid got to America after being in refugee camps in Africa. With little money, no parents he got all A's and got a degree in engineering. This was after teaching himself English.

We have Americans who speak English whose kids can't make in in a public school.

I went to a public school and it was never the person's fault for failure, it was teachers, schools or society.

I blame conservatives who mock schools, denounce colleges as being too liberal and see intellect as elitist.

Taboo | 5:07 p.m. May 16, 2009

I've seen both sides of the spectrum and it seems like that people who are involved with home schooling their children even by themselves or through the help of online classes are looked down upon by lots of people out there and I don't understand that at all. I went to a public school and had friends who are home schooled and they are just as normal as me and are so well mannered and I liked being with them. If parents wants to home school their children at home, I'd say, more power to them.

Come on | 5:27 p.m. May 16, 2009

if they keep doing this online classes thing, then I won't be able to use teachers as babysitters anymore. Please don't put my babysitters out of work.......LOL!!

Homeschooling mother | 8:37 p.m. May 16, 2009

I am a homeschooling mother. My daughter graduated at the age of 17 with her CNA license and is now attending Nursing school at a private University. At the end of her first year, she has a GPA of 3.9 and is on the Dean's List. She is a very well adjusted, social, and a moral young woman. She sets high goals and achieves them.
Because of her homeschooling, she has been more focused and more self motivated than most.
We as parents have the responsibility of nurturing, teaching and discipling our children, NOT the government or teachers!
I say best wishes and God's blessing on all those parents who choose to teach their children at home!

Wendy | 9:14 p.m. May 16, 2009

Life is about discipline! Gaining knowledge is one thing, but learning to get along with all kinds of people is very valuable in this world and how is this kid getting that exposure.. SCARY

Erin | 11:25 p.m. May 16, 2009

My son participated in an online school for a period of time and we were very pleased with the curriculum and the things he was learning. He really liked being able to set his own pace for things. Besides their online courses, they get to participate in real life, go to the grocery store with mom and/or dad, play with other kids, participate in sports and music lessons.. The children and adults whom I've met who were schooled this way are smart, funny, interesting, well-adjusted people.

Beth | 10:36 p.m. May 17, 2009

I was a child of public school, that was a social reject. I had the worst social experience in my years of elementary school. I was teased and made fun of, bullied, and even physically hurt by my peers. I was even made fun of by some teachers...in front of the class. I had such a bad experience with the social aspect of public schooling, my grades suffered horribly and I was so depressed I even tried to commit suicide. I wish that this online schooling would of been around when I was in school. I would of had a much better "Education" if it weren't for the poor social environment created for me in public schools. This online schooling would of literally been a life saver for me. So much for all those people who say that there is so much need for homeschooling children to have the socialization in public schools. If every child had the public school experience, I did, Heaven help us all. I am living proof that the "socialization" part of public school, almost made it so that I was not here today. Thank Heaven for online schooling!!!!

about socialization . . . | 11:58 p.m. May 17, 2009

I feel sorry for the poor kids who are forced to spend their growing-up years confined to a classroom for many hours per day, and only allowed to socially interact with children who were born within one year of themselves, that live in the same zipcode.

Rebecca | 2:03 p.m. May 18, 2009

I think it is strange that we require choice in every aspect of our lives but when it comes to education, many believe we all have to be doing the same thing. We have many wonderful teachers in public education but unfortunately the bureaucracies and unions halt the progress in our public education with their own agendas and security of remaining intact instead of what is best for children. Charter schools, on-line schools and private school just offer choice to families and children. They do the job Unions where intent to do but are failing their constituents. They force all schools to put the needs of teachers and children first, compensate teachers competently and make the school run more fiscally efficient. We need to be more open-minded if we are to progress with the rest of the world. Get more informed with information from the other side instead of whatever political group you happen to follow. This article was well written and I hope that the American public support continues to grow for choice in education. It would be the best option for our tax dollars in a time of recession.

cathi | 4:26 p.m. May 19, 2009

Back in 1965 I got Scarlet Fever and then complications that made it impossible for me to attend school for a year. The Los Angeles Schools system had a program called Tele-teaching where I was taught over a dedicated phone line. My younger sister would take my assignments to school and pick up the new ones. The inter-school mail system would get the assignments to my teacher in another school and then send the graded ones back. I got a great education that year and when I was in the hospital or too ill to be in school I could still get the education I needed on the days when I was listening to my teacher. I am sure that the computers and internet make it far superior to what I got, but it was a start and I was able to keep up in school. My class time was only limited by my stamina.

Kathy | 3:08 p.m. Sept. 26, 2009

I started homeschooling my daughter in January. We use an online school. She has no shortage of socialization opportunities. We belong to Girl Scouts, Liberty Girls and a rock climbing club. In fact I have to limit our activities or we would not get her school work done. I team teach with another parent so the only subject she does alone is math. My child does not have special needs, she does not have ADHD. I simply like the program and the opportunities she has to be involved with many different activities such as rock climbing. I had a very negative experience in school and was a social outcast, I would rather my daughter not experience that. Every homeschool parent I have met is very involved in their child's education and their children do not sit alone in front of a computer all day. Oh and as for being exposed to diversity she has a brother with severe autism and because she is homeschooled is able to go with me to his school for special events.

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