In April 2006, Michigan became the first state to make online learning a requirement for high school graduation. Now 48 states offer supplemental or full-time online learning opportunities.
Beginning with the class of 2013-2014, all Virginia students will be required by law to take at least one online class before they graduate.
The new law is part of a nationwide push for students to be competitive with other nations like China when they enter the work force. Computer literacy and competence with a variety of programs and platforms is a requirement for many jobs.
Research shows that 86 percent of teenagers and 80 percent of parents believe the Internet helps teenagers to excel in school. Some students at our school are already taking classes such as geometry and health and physical education online. Although an aide is available to answer questions, students must rely on themselves to understand the material and pass a comprehensive test.
Students in rural parts of the state may benefit from the online initiative because their schools may not offer every class they want to take. Online offerings would solve this problem.
Some experts estimate that by the year 2019, 50 percent of school courses will be delivered online, and the step to require all students to take an online class before they graduate is proof that it is feasible.
All students should be exposed to an online class at some point in their high school careers. It is the future of education, and it is the future of the work place.
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