Online learning can help schools retain students
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Loading... - Naunet Abdo
- 01 Mar 2023
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Families want many options for their children’s education--online learning allows traditional school systems to expand the range of choices
There were 1.3 million fewer students enrolled in U.S. public schools in fall 2021 than there were before the pandemic began–a drop of nearly 3 percent. Given that educational funding is tied to enrollment, this development has serious implications for the availability of resources in our schools.
Some of this decline may be the result of changing demographics. But much of it can be attributed to families who have opted out of public schools during the pandemic, choosing private schools or homeschooling for their children instead.
On top of these losses, traditional school districts also have lost about a quarter of a million students to charter schools since the emergence of COVID. An analysis by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools found that charter school enrollment increased by more than 7 percent from fall 2019 to fall 2020 as families found other alternatives for their children’s education.
Families have chosen to leave their traditional school system during the pandemic for a variety of reasons. For instance, some weren’t happy with the quality of remote instruction their children were receiving. Some were afraid to send their children back when schools reopened. Whatever their motivation, it’s clear they felt their local school system wasn’t aptly meeting their needs.
Encouraging families to stay or return to their local public schools is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. Families want options for their children’s education, and these options must be of high quality. Partnering with an experienced provider to offer high-quality online learning is one way traditional schools can give students more options—and it’s an important strategy for attracting and retaining families.
Choices in modality
Although some students fell behind during the shift to remote learning, others thrived. Giving students the flexibility to learn online instead of in-person can serve the needs of many families more effectively.
For instance, when done well, online learning makes education more convenient for students who have health problems or those who feel threatened while at school. It provides an option for students who are immunocompromised or have family members who are at a high risk from COVID. It even provides more autonomy for students and a self-paced learning option for those who are bored by the traditional pace of instruction. Read More…
