Stanford University, a top-rated California university, is offering a virtual high school curriculum. It is only for the "gifted."
The Latest
Stanford believes that this is the nation's first online high school curriculum for the gifted. It would be a fully-accredited, diploma-granting, online, independent high school. Stanford already has an online gifted program. The university offers students courses in math, physics, computer science and English. This program started in 1992 and the university has over 4000 gifted students, ages 4-18, taking classes from all over the world. However, they are not for high school credit. This new program would be for high school credit.
Why Offer This?
No Child Left Behind is driving education right now. The emphasis is on students being proficient. The students scoring below the proficiency percentile are targeted to do better. There is less attention paid to the students who are above this mark. With budget cuts, the Talented and Gifted programs often suffer more than those targeted at improving the non-proficient. The money flows in the direction of the pressure.
Another TAG Program?
This is not just another Talented and Gifted program. Most TAG programs are offered within a traditional high school setting. Stanford is attempting to become a fully accredited high school online. Other colleges have online high schools but they are not solely aimed at the gifted. Information about the application process can be found at Stanford Online High School. Any questions you may have about the program are answered on this site.
The Cost
The tuition is approximately $12,000 per year. This is in the neighborhood for other online high school programs. High school students could take all of their high school classes online or just the ones their high school does not offer. Since this program has its own little nitch, this is obviously not for everyone.
Who Would This Be For?
Students find out if they are truly Talented and Gifted when they take the SAT, ACT or PSAT. If the local school does not offer challenging classes, this may be just the thing. Students from isolated areas of the country where challenging options are few may benefit from the Stanford option. Home schooled students would be a great match, also. Students diagnosed with social phobia may find it easier to deal with a virtual setting instead of a classroom full of students. Children in military families abroad may find the Stanford plan just for them.
The Drawbacks
One concern is funding. The typical American family does not have $12,000 just sitting around waiting for a purpose. Is there aid? Yes. Financial assistance is going to be provided for students from disadvantaged schools that offer few to no advanced classes. However, there seems to be little information about students from average schools that have a lower middle class family income. The lower middle class is often forgotten.
And, what about human contact? Is this healthy? As a parent, teacher and counselor, I have strong reservations about receiving a high school education solely online. Learning how to communicate with others is an important real-life skill. Some students that need to learn communication skills are better off to challenge themselves to be with people more. This is a program that has pros and cons. Each student needs to find out if it is for them. A social component should probably be considered for anyone choosing this route.
Today
Stanford is accepting approximately 100 students per year but could accept more. There is a summer school option for online students that lasts eight weeks on campus.
For students in just the right circumstances, this could provide exactly what they need. Stanford is proposing a controversial option. This is something to watch. If this works, many universities may follow suit. The Audience Has Changed in Education but education seems to be slow to make changes.
The name, Stanford, holds much prestige. Being accepted to Stanford University is very challenging. Would students attending the new Stanford high school program be more likely to get admitted into Stanford University? That question may be answered in a few years.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
