Online High School Courses and Diploma Programs
You missed out on a High School Diploma? Or need extra courses to make sure you graduate? Well, you can fix that. Today, finishing the requirements for a high school diploma is easier than ever. Online correspondence programs mean you can take courses through the Internet, when it's convenient for you, and from home. But be sure to check out the accreditation of any school you're considering to make sure your new high school diploma is worth the paper it's printed on, there are a lot of dubious distance education outfits around.
A high school diploma is becoming ever more important to get a decent job. According the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average high school graduate in 2002 earned approximately $717 per month more than the average person who has not completed high school. In 2004, high school graduates were 70% more likely to be employed than those without a high school diploma.
In recent years, multimedia Internet-based technologies have provided even more options for teaching and learning at a distance. Virtually all schools are now linked to the Internet, so states, districts, and individual schools are increasingly adopting online courses to expand their teaching programs, and this can be especially useful for those who missed out on becoming a high school graduate earlier in life.
Taking an online high school diploma program, although not free, does bring benefits if you choose a reputable course:
- Books, lessons, learning aids, and special supplements are generally included in the fees;
- You often get tolll-free instructional support (quite a plus)
- Usually you get access to student services by phone, mail, and/or via a website, including online examinations and evaluations;
- In many cases you can earn your high school diploma at an accelerated rate, e.g. nine months for each year of high school you need.
But current high school students also take online courses to supplement the education they are getting at their "on-site" school. It is estimated that by 2006, a majority of high school students will have had an online course before graduating.
Questions for students (and parents) when considering an online high school course
Basically you should be looking at the same things as you would in a face-to-face teaching environment, but in online learning there are additional questions to consider. You should try to learn as much as you can ahead of time about the online course and its requirements. Don't forget, online coursework involves more self-discipline and self-motivation than classroom work.
Here are some suggestions from the US NEA that may help:
- Do I know as much about this course as I would know about the one offered in my school, for example, the teacher's background, prerequisites, syllabus, workload, credit, and transferability options?
- Is there an evaluation of this course and teacher that I can review?
- Do I have ready access to computers, Internet connections, and other resources necessary for taking a course online? Will the school provide me adequate access and support?
- Do I have the maturity, time, workload management slills, and other skills needed to take on an online course? Do I first need to be trained technologically? Is this part of the course? Will I be able to devote the extra effort needed to ensure my success. For example, will I have computer time at home or after school for work on online activities, even if this conflicts with sports or extracurricular activities?
- Do I know how to access the counseling, guidance, and technical support services I may need as a participant in an online course?
- Do I know how to contact the online teacher with my concerns and questions?
- Do I have sufficient support, both in staff and resources, from my on-site school?
Online Education News
- Online Education Increasingly Popular Among Students (Hornell Evening Tribune)
(ARA) - Many people think about going to college. Whether they've never gone, have attended some college, or already obtained a degree, each person's situation and career goals are unique.
- Online Education Puts Highly Valuable Psychology Degrees Within Reach (Hornell Evening Tribune)
(ARA) - According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 40 percent of psychologists are self-employed, with clinical psychologists earning anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000. The average salary for a psychology professor was $82,554 for the academic year of 2005-2006, according to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.
- Top Universities Partner to Offer Online Teaching Credentials (Hornell Evening Tribune)
(ARA) - Ashford University and Rio Salado College have partnered to offer aspiring teachers a new opportunity in online education. Ashford now offers a bachelor's degree program designed to provide students with an accelerated way to earn their undergraduate degree and teaching certification.
- Senate OKs measure to regulate online education programs (Rocky Mountain News)
A new division of the state Education Department would regulate online schools under a bill approved Thursday in the Colorado Senate.
- Is Online Learning For You? (Benton Evening News)
More and more college students are taking classes online, according to a new survey by the College Board and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. About 3.2 million people took at least one college course online during the fall of 2005 term, compared to 2.3 million in the fall of 2004.
