ONLINE LEARNING...A SOBERING ASSESSMENT

It is my firm belief, the best way for students to learn is to have them attend face to face courses with highly effective teachers.  Much research also bears this out. Students and parents sometimes wish to switch from traditional courses to virtual course for various reasons.  I would caution everyone to "be careful what you wish for"...Full time virtual students have a graduation rate that is HALF of traditional students

Virtual (online) courses are a part of the educational landscape and a required experience in the Michigan Merit Curriculum.  Here is some research data specific to MI for students/parents to consider...

Michigan’s K-12 Virtual Learning EFFECTIVENESS REPORT, 2017-18

Source: Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI.ORG)

• 7% of MI public school students have taken at least one virtual course 

• 66% of virtual enrollments are in Core Subject areas

• 78% of virtual enrollments came from grades 9-12

• ⅔ of school districts report virtual enrollments

• 1,158 schools had virtual learners, 56% of these had 100 or more enrollments

• Statewide virtual pass rate is 55%.

• Schools using virtual courses for general education = 63% pass rate

• Schools using virtual courses for off track/alternative education = 44% pass rate

• 49% of virtual learners passed ALL courses taken

• 23% passed NONE of the courses taken

• Part time (non MVU) enrollments 53%, pass rate 57

• Part-Time (MVU) enrollments 5%, pass rate 79%

• Full Time virtual enrollments 43%, pass rate 51%

• 76% pass rate for students taking 2 or fewer VC

• 51% pass rate for students taking 5+ VC