E-based Education...Part II

You've heard the cons of cyber-based education in last week's column.
Now for the pros.
In urban centers of population, school safety is of a greater concern to parents.  Those who want to know where their kid is are left no guesswork between what happens between their front door and the classroom door.
Kids in urban areas who do enroll in cyber schools will still get some form of social interaction, and it will be for the most part, positive.
In urban areas, neighborhoods are often tight-knight, with neighbors more likely to 'look out' for one another, as opposed to suburbanites.  Communities tend to be stronger, especially in churches.
Urban schools typically have larger class sizes, with struggling students often unable to get additional help they need from a teacher in order to keep up with their classmates.
There's also more in-class distractions, like back in your own days at school, where that annoying kid behind you who keeps bothering you with statements like 'what did he/she say' while you're trying to concentrate on the lesson yourself.
Cyber schools can be beneficial, provided that you take a proactive role as a partner in your child's education.
Here's just a few examples:
If you work outside the home, and no full-time caregiver is present during cyber-class times, then this isn't going to work out.  No matter what age, your child must be supervised and ensured that they're spending class time on study and study alone.  This form of education must be conducted in an environment that is conducive to study.
Keep a routine that's typical as if your child was getting ready to board a bus for public or private school.  This includes bathing, breakfast, and dressing.  Yes, that means being fully dressed as if they were entering the classroom, and no snacks, food or drink at their class area.  Toys too.
Lunchtime must be structured as if at school, with a designated start and end time, with recess included in that.
Now here come the questions.
The cyber school itself must be studied carefully.  Who's giving the lessons?  Are they state-certified teachers that go through continuing education as they would if they were in a typical brick-and-mortar school?  Or are they little more than glorified tutors?
Is the curriculum accepted by the state's Board of Education?  How are they rated?
The diploma that your child will ultimately receive...how will it stand the test of time?
Will it bear the name of the cyber-school, or the name of the district that your family resides in?  The latter ultimately carries more weight, especially when planning for post-secondary education at a typical four-year college or university.
How will a higher education institution obtain transcripts?  Through the district or the cyber school?  If it's the latter, what will happen to those transcripts if that institution folds?
This is especially important if your child wishes to pursue graduate work later in life, or has their undergrad studies interrupted for whatever reason.
Whatever route you choose for your child's education, it's a decision never to be taken lightly, with all avenues painstakingly considered to determine what ultimately will be in your son or daughter's best interests.


NEXT WEEK:   The importance of extra-curricular activity