If students are struggling in traditional public school classrooms there are alternatives for them to receive a free education, and with today’s technology some students may be able to get free online schooling. All it takes is a little browsing and some research into state and local requirements.
How to Find a Free Online School
In some states, students can now enroll for free in their accredited online schooling programs. Each state, or even local school district, may have unique requirements so parents should consult with their local education board before switching their child to an online program. The state education agencies or local school district can help point parents to free online schooling accredited for their requirements. Parents can often select alternative online schooling but must meet the requirements dictated by their local education board.
Does Free Mean Less than a Good Education?
The quality of education a student receives depends upon the school they enroll in, whether traditional or a distance learning school. Parents must investigate each free online schooling opportunity to ensure that it meets their own quality standards for education, as well as state and local requirements. The school should have accreditation but parents should review the school’s program for syllabus offerings, student to teacher ratios, and rate of student graduation. Free schooling is only good if the student receives a quality education and a diploma that means something.
Only Partially Free
When investigating free online schooling, parents need to ensure that all materials for the courses are included. Depending on the online school, the course materials online may be free but parents must pay for all course supplements such as textbooks or study guides. Some online schools may allow students to transfer in previous coursework for free but then require tuition for all online courses. It is imperative that parents understand what their financial burden will be before enrolling their children in any online schooling.
No-cost Equipment
Parents will be happy to learn that most free online schooling programs include the cost of equipment needed to attend classes. Most free programs supply the student with all equipment needed once enrolled. Students may receive such equipment as a computer, printer, scanner, and fax machine. Parents should investigate multiple online schools before enrolling their child in any program. By completing a little comparison shopping between schools parents can enable students to not only receive a high quality education for free, but also all the tools and equipment necessary to excel.
Internet Connection Fees
All the free equipment will not help online students if they cannot connect to their virtual classroom. Parents should check with their local and state education boards as well as the online school to see if there are stipends available to help pay for the cost of the Internet. While most online schooling can be accomplished using dial-up speed connections, parents and the school can work together to find the most appropriate speed to ensure the quality of the students’ online learning experience. Free online schooling may require parents to pay some of the Internet connection cost.
Risk of Online Predators
Whenever a child first uses a computer, parents must ensure that the online environment is safe. Just as a parent would teach a child how to cross a street by holding their hands and looking both ways, parents of online students must educate their child about how to safely use a computer. Whether it is a traditional or free online schooling, the institution should take precautions to secure the computers which students will be working on. Online schooling programs should be conducted in a password protected environment and students should be taught how to safely navigate the Internet.
Afraid of Couch-Potato Students
Just because students are receiving free online schooling does not mean that they will be sitting in front of a computer all day. Most online programs for kindergarten through high school will still be required to meet their state or district’s physical education requirement. Parents should ask school administrators or admissions counselors what percentage of time students will actually spend at the computer. Students’ curriculum should require them to do other activities besides reading the computer screen. Students should be learning all the time not just when sitting with a laptop.
Discipline
Receiving free online schooling provides students with flexibility but it is not without discipline. Students must learn the timetable and schedule that fits their lifestyle needs but also works within the requirements of the coursework. There may be deadlines and tests that students must complete within a certain time period. Online schooling is not a free-ride to an easy diploma. It is an alternative and innovative way to educate students. Finding discipline within them to complete coursework is one of the first lessons that students must learn to be successful in online schooling.
Parent Involvement
When parents elect to have their children in free online schooling programs they cannot simply enroll their children as students and walk away. To provide the best possible chance of success, parents must be ready to be active participants in their child’s education. That participation may require parents to initially act as an alarm clock, a TV or video game monitor, or simply supply the student with encouragement and praise. Online schooling is not a babysitter for parents but an education option that can help students excel beyond their expectations found in a traditional classroom.
What about Free Online Schooling for College?
Parents and high school students may be interested to learn that some free online schooling can also earn students credits toward college. In addition, many colleges are now offering some online classes free of charge to enable high school students or adults thinking about returning to college to prepare for secondary education. Taking a few online classes at a college or university may enable high school students to earn points or credit toward their diploma while investigating a future career goal. Free college classes can help both high school students and adults find a new career.
Free online schooling is available in some states for kindergarten through high school students. Parents can research online to find their state and local education requirements and learn if their child is eligible for free online schooling .