ONE SCHOOL'S QUANTUM LEAP
The Daniel Jenkins Academy in Polk County, Fla., will become the
nation's first school to offer students a completely online
curriculum in a classroom, despite district level educators
having doubts that such a system can be effective. Florida High
School (FHS), which previously only served individual students,
will be the subcontractor for Jenkins' online system.
Although
Jenkins principal Sue Braiman originally thought up the idea of
an online school because of the space limitations involved with
construction of the aging building, parents have been swayed to
enroll their children because of the promise of small classes and
individualized, self-paced education that lets students build
their school days around their learning strengths.
Parents'
biggest complaints with the traditional school were discipline
problems, overcrowding, overwhelmed teachers, and bomb threats
interrupting classes. Although no teachers will be present in
Jenkins' classrooms, students will still share lunch and hallway
interactions. Students will also have the opportunity to do
away-from-school projects, take field trips, and participate in
extracurricular activities at a nearby high school.
(USA Today, 6 April 2000)
Contact F. David Peat
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