By DELANEE BOGAN
With numerous clicks of the mouse more and more students are beginning to sign up for Florida virtual school.
According to a new law passed by the United States Department of Education last year, students entering ninth grade are currently required to successfully complete one online course throughout their high school career. If these requirements are not met, the student will not be able to graduate.
“I think [the new law] is good because the future is technology and when you continue your education post secondary more than likely you will have some classes online.” Guidance counselor James Caperton said.
This law gives students the opportunity to take an online course of their choice. The law is helping students learn how to manage and complete an online course that will prepare them for their future in college.
Online classes help students learn how to control procrastination, and teach them how to handle responsibility. It also helps prepare them for college, since many colleges are converting to having classes online.
“It gives students more control of their education and for technical duel enrollment they do not have enough room in their schedule so having an online course option they can take a class of their choice.” Caperton said.
“[When students take an online course they] need to set apart time for the course so they can finish on time,” senior Nicole Grandinette said.
According to Florida Virtual School the program spends $2,500 less per student than a traditional school does because they do not have to budget funds on transportation, or the constant upkeep of buildings. However, according to the Florida House of Representatives the law will end up costing the state up to $6 million.
It will mostly benefit Florida Virtual School because with the new law, part time enrollment rates will increase significantly in years to come. This law affects not only current but subsequent ninth graders to take an online course.
For some students, adding an online class to their schedule will interfere with clubs and sports, and will make managing homework from their core classes difficult.
“[From this experience] I will learn how I feel about online learning, as well as how to use it, which could help me in college if I take online classes then,” freshman Katherine Rohe said
In four years, The Florida legislators will see if this new law is effective.