How Online High School Can Prevent Drop Outs

By Ed Desmond

Online school may have innovative answers to the pervasive problem of high school drop outs. While a virtual school or internet school may not have solutions for every complex problem that can cause dropping out of school, for many who need credit recovery and an alternative to public high school, online high school may offer our best hope.

There are two general categories of the causes of dropping out. These are home related problems, and school related problems. This article will look at the subcategories of drop out predictors and how online high school may address these.

In my view, the guidance that can be provided by a professional case manager would be highly beneficial as soon as a student begins to exhibit predictive signs of dropping out. Typical school counselors are given so many extraneous tasks that they have little time remaining to do actual intervention. When possible, parents should also play as strong role as well.

One area that has predicted drop outs is poor grades, and poor academic performance. Poor grades lead to poor self esteem, low peer acceptance, and discouragement for students. Online high school is private, and efficient and can allow the child to catch up. Many online schools are self paced, allowing the student to learn at his own rate.

Failure of one grade or more is also highly predictive of not attaining a diploma. The chances of leaving school before graduating can be more than 90% in those who have been held back grades. Grade retention results in his friends moving up without him, classes becoming repetitive and boring, and graduation slipping further away. The online option can be quite effective in catching the potential drop out.

One area where online high school is only partially effective is for serious behavior problems. When negative peer pressure is to blame, internet school can allow parents to better control and supervise the child's progress. Of course, strong parents are not always available. When a student is often getting in trouble, school can become a place where mostly punishment occurs. An online alternative may be of help.

Behavior problems are difficult to deal with in any setting. When considering switching to online school, it is wise to take into account that online education may require a good deal of self motivation and focus. Without parental supervision and mentoring, these behaviors can disrupt attempt at online schooling as well.

Another predictive sign for dropping out is frequent moving, and frequent absences from school. Portability is a great benefit of online high school. This may be the only way a family that moves often can have continuity of schooling. The only thing needed is an internet connection for the student to attend school. Absences are another case, depending on the cause, but online school may have an answer for this as well.

When kids are asked why they dropped out, they describe dislike for school, job pressures, pregnancy, and parental duties. When traditional schools are too rigid for these students, an online alternative is available. Virtual schools give the time and place flexibility not offered by traditional public schools.

All across the U.S. schools are attacking the problem of drop outs. Online high school, while still in development, will have an increasing role to play. Given the nightmarish consequences of entering life without a high school diploma, this problem demands that every alternative be utilized. There are numerous online high schools to choose from. Finding which one is best for a particular child can save a child from poverty, and lost opportunities.

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