Florida to offer K-12 online schooling
Categories: Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Development, In the news, Education
When it comes to online schooling, Florida is leading the way. The state already funds two online kindergarten through eighth grade schools as well as one that offers middle and high school courses. Last year, more than 57,000 students took advantage of the opportunity to take some of their classes through the Florida Virtual School, but very few opted to take all of their courses online. But with a new state law going into effect next year, more students will have the option to do just that - beginning in kindergarten.
The new law not only allows Florida school districts to create their own full-time online schools, it requires that they do so by the 2008-2009 school year. "The rest of the country will be watching to see how it goes," said Julie Young, president and chief executive officer of Florida Virtual School and a board member of the North American Council for Online Learning.
Some are concerned about private companies who sell online curriculum profiting from public education dollars and others worry about the financial implications of the law's reference to providing computers and Internet access to students 'when appropriate'. But what would concern me the most is the social impact on a child who never actually spends time in a classroom with other children.
While I do think online classes (as well as home-schooling) can be appropriate for some students some of the time, I have a hard time imagining an entire generation of children who never attend school. A brick-and-mortar school not only provides book-learning, but social learning as well. For many children, the classroom is where they practice and perfect their budding social skills - cooperation with others, listening quietly, following rules, sitting still. What becomes of all of that when the classroom is at home? Would you let your child be an exclusive online learner?
The new law not only allows Florida school districts to create their own full-time online schools, it requires that they do so by the 2008-2009 school year. "The rest of the country will be watching to see how it goes," said Julie Young, president and chief executive officer of Florida Virtual School and a board member of the North American Council for Online Learning.
Some are concerned about private companies who sell online curriculum profiting from public education dollars and others worry about the financial implications of the law's reference to providing computers and Internet access to students 'when appropriate'. But what would concern me the most is the social impact on a child who never actually spends time in a classroom with other children.
While I do think online classes (as well as home-schooling) can be appropriate for some students some of the time, I have a hard time imagining an entire generation of children who never attend school. A brick-and-mortar school not only provides book-learning, but social learning as well. For many children, the classroom is where they practice and perfect their budding social skills - cooperation with others, listening quietly, following rules, sitting still. What becomes of all of that when the classroom is at home? Would you let your child be an exclusive online learner?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stacie 9-30-2008 @ 7:33PM
Sounds like a grand idea to me! We just moved from one state where everyone was kind - very few kids might tease or be disrespectful - to another state where the kids might say ma'am and sir but only do so because it's expected. I can't believe the difference in attitudes and actions. I'm disgusted! ONLINE SCHOOL COME TO ME!
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Cathy 9-30-2008 @ 9:27PM
We have done online schooling thru an Arkansas charter school for three years. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for us. Yes, sometimes we miss the interaction with others but most of the time we are glad we are not in the DRAMA that comes with middle school aged girls. With the right controls, this is a positive thing for kids and families.
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Sandyone 10-01-2008 @ 7:09AM
Oh, Sandy...you didn't just write this, did you?
Please google 'debunking the socialization myth' or 'but what about socialization?'. Then come back and look at your last paragraph and edit as needed.
Also, try this article and then reconsider what brick and mortar lessons *really* are. http://hometown.aol.com/tma68/7lesson.htm
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Caroline 10-01-2008 @ 2:25PM
When in life are we in a room, working with people our own age exclusively? Kids can learn about cooperation in large families'
and also by working at a job. Teenagers especially learn by doing
and since in most public school the adults are not exactly in charge
a child can feel insecure enough not to be payingattention to the lesson. Also John Dewey really gave our educational system a good
dumbing down. It takes about 3 hours per day to homeschool and the
rest of the time can be used quite well with a sport or an interest.
Kids are given short-shrift and everyone should be reading by first grade. Kudos to Florida!!!!
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Dee 10-06-2008 @ 7:16PM
I would love to utilize this for my 4yr old who will be starting school next year. My only concern is that she would miss out on much needed socialization skills. Still, some of the bad behavior that she has been exposed to in pre-school by other students has made me less concerned about that. I also believe that there are other ways to promote socializtion skills outside of school. She plays at the park and in the play area at the mall where she is given the opportunity to learn to share and take turns. Also, she learns to keep still and quiet when we attend church. Evenmore schools are becoming more and more violent with teasing and bullying and I think this makes a wonderful alternative. I hope Indiana catches on to this soon.
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Rodney B. Murray 10-21-2008 @ 3:03PM
I thought that you and your audience might like to know that National Distance Learning Week is coming up this November 10. I just interviewed the National Director, Dr. Ken Hartman. You can hear the interview and learn more at http://www.RodsPulsePodcast.com.
Regards,
Rodney B. Murray, Ph.D.
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Lewis 10-22-2008 @ 3:09PM
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