Online class required for graduation in Memphis
Students enrolled in Memphis City Schools are now required to take at least one online class in order to graduate. "E-Learning as a graduation requirement came up because of [an] upswing in students taking online courses," head of online learning for Memphis City Schools Betty Brown told Education Week. "We feel they needed to be prepared for that type of life experience. Their lives are going to require them to learn online." There are currently 28 classes available to high school students and 12 to children in middle school, but city schools officials hope to soon raise those numbers.
One possible advantage to the district requiring an online class is a reduction in cost. According to the article in Education Week, "rights to the curriculum for one class, purchased from the Florida Virtual School—the nation's largest and oldest vendor—cost about $18,000 per year." Brown said the cost an online class is generally less than that of a brick and mortar class because of the ability to reach more students. "Rather than serving 30 in one class, you can serve 150 in 12 schools," she said.
The district plans to invest in the initiative to the tune of $2.6 million every year for the next four years. The funds will be used to increase the number of students taking AP classes remotely as well as boost overall access to online classes. There are currently 28 classes available to high school students and 12 to children in middle school.
Memphis City Schools started offering online classes in 2007, so officials say the program is in its infancy. Nonetheless, the structure calls for accountability requiring students to log on, finish assignments, and participate in hour-long live chat sessions with an instructor and classmates. Teachers speak with students after each module to verify their identity. Proctored semester exams are administered on school grounds.
More than 2,000 students are currently taking online classes for the purpose of graduating early in the Memphis City Schools system. Thousands of others are taking remote classes to make up for failing grades or catch up on missing academic credits.
