EVERETT – More Everett teenagers are logging on to learn a range of subjects, including algebra and human behavior.
| Of the 311 students enrolled in online courses in Everett Public Schools:
* 67 have taken an online course in the district before * 21 students paid tuition, charged when a course is beyond regular school day * 18 students are taking more than one course * 101 students are scheduled to graduate in 2005 * 34 percent are enrolled in English classes * 27 percent in social studies * 17 percent in math * 8 percent in lifetime fitness * 8 percent in science * 5 percent in health |
In the current semester, 311 students are taking English, social studies and other high-school courses through the Internet.
That’s only about 6 percent of all high school students in the district, but a sharp increase of more than 200 students over the fall semester alone.
“We are standing on the edge of a potential great future in online education,” curriculum director Terry Edwards said in a presentation to school board members last week.
This is the third year the district has offered courses online and the first year they have been open to all students, not just those who need to make up credits. The program started in 2002-03 with nine students.
Besides making up credits, online courses provide students an opportunity to work at their own pace or to take an extra course on top of their regular schedule. This year even advanced placement psychology was a course option.
Most of the 27 courses are designed by and offered through an outside company, although nine of them were designed by the district and are also the most popular – representing 57 percent of online enrollment.
As more students sign up, more teachers and regular class periods will be added to fulfill state class-time requirements and offer face-to-face help.
There’s also room for improvement. As enrollment went up, passing rates went down.
In the summer of 2004, 85 percent of students passed their online courses for the term. Last fall, 55 percent passed.
“We weren’t very happy about that passing rate, and we’re still working on it,” said Sally Lancaster, coordinator of the program. “Online learning works great for some kids. It is not the solution for everyone.”
Everett leaders hope to eventually extend enrollment in their online courses to students in other school districts, which could bring some extra dollars.
The program this year costs an estimated $278,895, with about half coming from the general fund and the rest from Initiative 728 grants.
Everett is not alone in seeing technology take more of a commanding classroom role.
Other local districts also offer online courses, which are particularly popular among home-school students and students behind on credits.
Nationwide, one-third of school districts had students enrolled in “distance education” courses during 2002-03, according to a study released this month by the National Center for Education Statistics.
Of those districts, 59 percent had students enrolled in courses delivered over the Internet. Other technologies include interactive video conferencing and prerecorded videos.
Everett is part of a smaller class of districts that offer their own courses. Nationwide, 16 percent of districts with students enrolled in distance learning courses designed the curriculum.
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