Craig Daily Press

State reports rank online schools behind traditional schools on test scores.

Test scores don't tell the whole story, according to both online school administrators and those in Moffat County.

For one thing, online education students aren't held to the same standards as determined by the same tests.

Students in schools that offered traditional and online education took Colorado Student Assessment Program tests, and a higher percentage earned "unsatisfactory" scores on the math portion. And online students were forced to repeat grades four times more often than students with a traditional education.

According to Bill Hines, superintendent of the Vilas School District in southeast Colorado, it's not necessarily the quality of the education, but the quality of the student that tips the scales.

He said a majority of students are turning to online education as a last resort. The concept caters to at-risk students, those not suited for traditional all-day courses, or those with jobs.

Exactly the type of students in who are flourishing in their online classes at the Moffat County Alternative School.

According to teacher John Campbell, online programs can provide "unbelievable educational opportunities," when used by the right people.

"Structure makes all sorts of difference," he said. "You need to have the support of parents."

All coursework at the alternative school is done online through Brigham Young University.

"I think it works fantastically for the students and the school," Campbell said. "Students go at their own pace, not 60 other students' pace."

He tells of one student who was able to earn in 16 days a credit that would have taken at least nine weeks in a traditional school.

Motivation is a problem, he said, even in an alternative school setting where progress in monitored.

"You need that to be ingrained," he said.

Superintendent of Schools Pete Bergmann said there is a place for online schools, but their quality just doesn't compare to traditional education.

"Online schools fill a niche for some students who learn best with that medium," he said. "But, I think there are very few students who fit that niche."

Bergmann continues to think that direct contact with peers and teachers is crucial and will never be replaced by chat rooms.

Online education has come a long way and can help rural schools expand their curriculum, but the reduced accountability can mean reduced quality, he said.

And, a need for increased accountability was one finding of a committee created by the Colorado Department of Education to study online education.

There are 20 cyberschools in Colorado with 3,334 students enrolled.

"It is increasingly evident that online learning can be a highly effective tool in educating student," the committee's final report states, but it recommended the CDE develop quality assurance guidelines for online education.

That may happen sooner than later. Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, plans to introduce a bill creating a statewide authority to hold online schools accountable. The bill would cover cyberschools and traditional schools that offer online courses.

A spokesperson with the Colorado Association of School Boards has said getting that legislation passed will be a priority for the group.

It's impossible to know how many high school-age students in Moffat County are earning their diplomas online. Members of the area home school association say they are still focusing on books and paper to teach.

"We have to be careful because a lot of online school is actually public education. It's a public school curriculum, which is what home schoolers are trying to get away from," Craig resident Robin Lambert said.

Christina M. Currie can be reached at 824-7031 or at ccurrie@craigdailypress.com.