Online learning in Hamilton County has a younger audience this summer, and their chubby little hands are just learning to maneuver a mouse.
Typically a means for high schoolers to retake a flunked course or for overachievers to get a jump start on college, virtual school programs are being offered to elementary students for the first time this summer.
Virtual school Director Debi Crabtree said getting parents and teachers to agree to online school for younger students is a thought shift. People aren’t used to the idea of a dozen kindergartners sitting in front of computers, headphones on, a teacher stopping by periodically to help, Crabtree said.
“I would really love to see elementary schools embrace blended learning throughout the year, especially for kids with learning gaps,” she said. “Just the fact that I’m in three elementary schools this summer is an example of more widespread acceptance of online school.”
Crabtree offered the six-week program at three elementary schools and six middle schools with federal Title I funding for poor students. She estimates the program has served about 120 students with a budget of about $159,000.