How to Tell a Great Distance Learning School from a Bad One
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Here are 5 ways to tell if the distance learning school you are researching is excellent... or less than.
1. Is the School accredited?
Accreditation is a validation process which schools and colleges are evaluated against established standards to ensure an education of high quality. Knowing something about a schools accreditation can tell you a lot about the level of education received and if the curriculum will insure acceptance into college.
Since the term accredited is used loosely by some schools you have to know what to look for when checking a schools accreditation.
When researching a distance learning school make sure they use the term "accredited" and not phrases like "chartered", licensed or registered", "recognized", "approved", or "pursuing accreditation". Be wary of a school that uses these generic terms.
Make sure the accrediting associations are legit and hold strong standards for the schools to follow, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
You can easily check the accrediting association at:
Here are some resources to check whether an accrediting agency is reputable or not:
U.S. Department of Education listing of national and regional accrediting agencies.
Council for Higher Education list of national and regional accrediting agencies.
2. How much teacher - student interaction is there?
Teacher services should be responsive to the students needs. Try finding a school that grades every assignment as well as personalizing the curriculum to the student’s skills and learning style.3. Is there curriculum in correlation to national standards and college expectations?
A great distance learning school will have its curriculum checked and approved by top universities to assure there students can move on to the college of there choice.
4. How long have they been around?
With the recent boom in online learning many start-up programs have flooded the market. Don't be fooled by dazzling graphics and appealing features. Pay attention to the school's actual track record when it comes to assessment and accountability.Also make sure the school is run by qualified educators. Longer running programs are worth an extra look for their expertise in the field as are schools that adhere to best practices established by organizations like the NACOL.
5. What are there college placement statistics?
A great school will have at least 80-85% of there seniors attending college, and most of them getting into the college of there choice. For reference and comparison, I have provided the college placement statistics from a leading distance learning school, Laurel Springs School:-85% of seniors are attending college.-90% were accepted to the college of their choice.-The 15% who postponed college were mainly professional, elite athletes and actors.There SAT scores were also higher than state and national average.It is worth it to take the time to choose the best school for your child by thoroughly doing the research and asking all of the questions you need to find the best distance learning school for your child.About Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School, founded in 1991, is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Located in Ojai, California, Laurel Springs serves students across the United States and in 43 countries. Current enrollment is 3,000 students, with more than 2,000 students enrolled in the online high school program. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience.
