JACKSON, Mich. - Jackson Public Schools has recruited about 10 home-schoolers to take online elective courses as a way to serve that population, while also reaping increased state funding due to the higher student headcount, according to The Jackson Citizen Patriot.
The district received a "seat-time waiver" from the Michigan Department of Education that allows it to offer up to 150 students the opportunity to take as many online classes off school grounds as the students wish, according to The Patriot. Current state law allows students to take an unlimited number of online classes on campus, but only two digital classes per semester off campus.
The home-schooled students take the classes off campus, and a certified teacher serves as a mentor and supervises their progress, according to The Citizen Patriot. The district may target teen parents, dropouts and working teens as potential online enrollees in the future, The Citizen Patriot reported.
"We're not booming yet, but we do see the future in these programs," Superintendent Dan Evans told The Citizen Patriot.
SOURCE:
The Jackson Citizen Patriot, "Jackson Public Schools recruits homeschoolers for online classes," Jan. 14, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Online classes get a boost in some districts," Jan. 5, 2009
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