Virtual Schools
Yonina Y. Powell
Rogerian Argument
ENG 112-130
February 23, 2011
“What improvements actually cost less?” Education is huge topic on the minds of many state lawmakers. Scores of lawmakers and citizens want to improve the quality of education. The schooling in the United States of America has taken a back seat to those in countries such as South Korea and Japan. There are approximately 16.3 million enrolled high school students; they take classes in every arena, from homeschooled to new, virtual schools. Improvements are needed in the quality of teachers, ratio of classrooms, curriculum of study and the structural needs of public schools. All of these improvements need funding in a very limited economy. The article “Virtual Schools, real results” gives an option to help this crisis. The U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan wants the United States to embrace the online learning and virtual schools environment that is trending in today’s society. She believes that engaging in such will make education more productive, while spending less per student. Virtual schools will reduce the burdens on taxpayers. “A survey of directors of 20 virtual schools in 14 states found that the average annual cost for a full-time online student was $4,310 in 2008, while the U.S. average per-pupil expenditure in public schools was over $9,000.” (Stoops) Also, the there is wide selection of courses a child told take in the virtual world. Lastly, the self-paced learning style that takes in the online classroom cannot by administered in the public setting. “Virtual schools allow students to review difficult material slowly and deliberately. Similarly, they may spend less time on content already mastered.” (Stoops) On-line schools can also provided a customized learning portfolio for each child enrolled. This would give each student a strong sense of purpose. Many high school students are dropping out at an alarming rate. Providing a child who feels lost in the
Rogerian Argument
ENG 112-130
February 23, 2011
“What improvements actually cost less?” Education is huge topic on the minds of many state lawmakers. Scores of lawmakers and citizens want to improve the quality of education. The schooling in the United States of America has taken a back seat to those in countries such as South Korea and Japan. There are approximately 16.3 million enrolled high school students; they take classes in every arena, from homeschooled to new, virtual schools. Improvements are needed in the quality of teachers, ratio of classrooms, curriculum of study and the structural needs of public schools. All of these improvements need funding in a very limited economy. The article “Virtual Schools, real results” gives an option to help this crisis. The U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan wants the United States to embrace the online learning and virtual schools environment that is trending in today’s society. She believes that engaging in such will make education more productive, while spending less per student. Virtual schools will reduce the burdens on taxpayers. “A survey of directors of 20 virtual schools in 14 states found that the average annual cost for a full-time online student was $4,310 in 2008, while the U.S. average per-pupil expenditure in public schools was over $9,000.” (Stoops) Also, the there is wide selection of courses a child told take in the virtual world. Lastly, the self-paced learning style that takes in the online classroom cannot by administered in the public setting. “Virtual schools allow students to review difficult material slowly and deliberately. Similarly, they may spend less time on content already mastered.” (Stoops) On-line schools can also provided a customized learning portfolio for each child enrolled. This would give each student a strong sense of purpose. Many high school students are dropping out at an alarming rate. Providing a child who feels lost in the
Cited: Stoops, Terry L. "Virtual school, real results." The News and Observer. 15 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 Jan. 2011.