For a class assignment, I took on the pretend-role of a parent hoping to enroll my child in a distance learning school. I researched five different Ohio options and listed my observations and thoughts below. Each respective website was also evaluated in terms of the clarity and understandability of information, the look and feel of the DL environment, and the presence of a FAQ page. I also included a general rating of "Would/Would Not Recommend" for each school.
School # 1: Ohio Connections Academy
Website: www.connectionsacademy.com/ohio-eschool
On the homepage, I was greeted with an invitation to chat about any questions as soon as the page loaded. There was also a banner with student and teacher testimonials, a short blurb about OCA, and an introductory video. The video was very high quality and included information about the school and personal stories from both students and teachers. There were also highlights from field trips and clips of teachers interacting with students through live lessons and phone communication. Overall, the website is very easy to navigate and seems to include all the information any parent could want or need. The website is professional and promotes the distance learning option as a viable choice for all types of families. OCA also prides themselves on designing their school around what works best for DL environments, as discovered through research. Their Family Support Program caught my attention - this added bonus includes orientations for parents and students, a program that connects experienced parent "coaches" with parents who are new to the school, and opportunities to connect local families through events and online communication.
Verdict: After exploring the website, I feel convinced that my child would have an excellent educational experience with OCA. They value academic instruction and encourage interaction between students, parents, and teachers, and they also promote social involvement between families. 5/5 Would Highly Recommend
School # 2: Virtual SchoolHouse
Website: http://virtualschoolhouse.org/
Exploring this DL option was not the greatest experience. On a practical note, the website itself is not very engaging. While the ads on the home page include colorful pictures that change back and forth, the rest of the page is a disappointment at best. Two of the first sections I found while scrolling down on the homepage are the School Calendar, which has not been updated since the last day of the 2015-2016 school year, and the Announcements section, which was completely empty! There is also a video at the bottom of the page that probably explains more about the school, but the sound doesn't seem to work properly. I could not find a FAQ page while clicking on tabs across the top of the page. My initial impression after visiting this website is that VSH is a school best used as a last resort - They advertise their credit recovery program and encourage site visitors to refer a friend known to be struggling. Overall, the website seems poorly attended,
Verdict: This website seems poorly attended, and didn't leave me wanting to entrust VSH with my child's education. There are some potential highlights mentioned, such as art inititiaves and prom and graduation for high school students, but these alone are not enough to encourage attendance.
1/5 Would Not Recommend
School # 3: ECOT Online School
Website: https://www.ecotohio.org/
One of the first sections I found on ECOT's homepage was very practical, titled "Why ECOT?" The video posted below did a good job of explaining the school's offerings and included descriptions of various "paths" - Students can choose between a full day of live online sessions with teachers, or mix it up with some live sessions and some more flexible options. Field trips, social interaction and events with other ECOT families ensure a well-rounded educational experience, and high school students have their own social network to encourage further connection with peers. Teachers also schedule face to face meetings with parents and students. The website is user friendly and includes an updated school calendar, descriptions of roles parents can take on as members of the Parent Advisory Committee, and a section called "Who Benefits" with several relatable categories for prospective students considering DL options. You can also access FAQs by clicking on the info tab, but it did take me a few minutes to find them.
Verdict: The information and accompanying videos displayed on the website present a viable option for students interested in DL. ECOT supplies computers that don't allow surfing to unathorized sites, so this could help a lot with ensuring that students stay on track with their cirriculum. The program also includes plenty of opportunities for students and parents to engage socially with other families 5/5 Would Highly Recommend
School # 4: Ohio Virtual Academy
Website: http://ohva.k12.com/
OVA's website is somewhat plain but easy to navigate, and supplies ample information for families considering DL options. Prospective families can request information, attend a face to face or online discussion event, or call with questions. There is a video which provides a good overview of the school. (It comes off a little boring but still succeeds at presenting needed information.) After exploring a bit, I am impressed with all that OVA has to offer. They encourage parental involvement in student education, and teachers stay in contact with students and parents through phone communication and online. The OVA experience offers an Individualized Learning Plan for every student in attendance, and various course offerings include AP classes, multiple world languages, career builder electives and content for advanced learners. They also have a college credit program for qualified high school students. I couldn't find a FAQ page per se, but I felt that any questions I had about the school were answered from the provided information.
Verdict: I like the diverse course offerings, extracirricular activities, and other opportunities for social interaction that are provided through various clubs and student council. It also seems like teachers work hard to stay engaged with students and their families, and two-way communication is highly encouraged. I would definitely feel comfortable sending my child to Ohio Virtual Academy.
5/5 Would Highly Recommend
School #5: Virtual Community School of Ohio
Website: http://www.vcslearn.org/
The website for VCS is engaging and user friendly, but there are some questions that I have after exploring the information provided. On a positive note, the school uses an interactive digital platform and holds one on one sessions with teachers. They also provide life skills coaching which looks extremely useful, including sections for single parenting, character development for K-3, conflict resolution, test anxiety, bullying, and more. Students can participate in clubs, and students that excel can be recognized with awards and merit roll/honor roll. There is a helpful FAQs page that is separated into grade level, and it also includes a section for special education. One question I had was about the curriculum - the website states that grades 6-12 use Florida Curriculum??? There was also a video meant to promote the school, but most of the student stories were not relatable, at least for me. For example, I would never encourage my child to pursue athletics to the degree that it caused a need for a less structured school environment.
Verdict: Overall, I'm unimpressed with the offerings of VCS, especially when compared to some of the other options available in Ohio. I did really like the life skills coaching, but I don't think I would trust my child's overall educational experience with this setting.
2/5 Would Not Recommend
I hope this information has been a helpful starting point for any parents who are considering the DL options! Of course, before enrolling a child in any of these schools, I would recommend contacting the school to set up a face to face meeting in order to ensure they could adequately meet your child's educational needs.
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