5 Myths About Virtual Schooling

Fast facts about this growing education trend.

By Sharon Miller Cindrich

Q: One of my daughter’s classmates did not return to school this year–instead she is attending a virtual school. Is this like home schooling?

A: The only similarity between a virtual school program and a home school program is that a large part of the learning occurs outside of a traditional classroom. Like public schools, virtual schools have principals and administrative staff, and their students must meet attendance requirements (truant students are removed). Virtual school lessons are also assigned by certified teachers, and students must take all state assessment tests.

While virtual schools are the fastest-growing trend in education (almost a million students will go online to go back to school this fall), some common myths still beg for debunking:

1. Virtual school students spend too much time in front of the computer.
False. Virtual schools require only about 20-30% of a student's learning time online, leaving 70-80% for offline books, activities and studying.

2. Kids won't have any opportunities to socialize.
Not at all. Virtual schools actually offer a wide variety of social opportunities and experiences, including face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers.

3. Virtual schools teach different subjects than traditional schools.
Not usually. Virtual schools have a set curriculum chosen by the school’s governing body (families can’t “pick and choose” curriculum), and since they are accountable to state and federal standards, curriculum generally coincides with public school lessons.

4. Students need a computer to be a part of a virtual school.
This is true, however, just like a traditional school offers buses, desks and books at no cost to students, many virtual schools provide families with a computer on loan, and an Internet connection is often reimbursed.

5. Virtual schools are not prepared to deal with special needs.
Not true. In fact, virtual schooling is ideal for some children with transportation issues, physical limitations or health concerns, and virtual schools can even provide full-service special education for kids with IEPs (Individual Education Plans).


Sharon Miller Cindrich is a mother of two and the author of E-Parenting: Keeping Up with your Tech-Savvy Kids.