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Comparative Analysis: Online vs. Traditional High Schools in California

This dissertation explores the differences between online charter high schools and traditional high schools in California, focusing on at-risk students' success rates measured through achievement test scores and dropout rates. It delves into enrollment trends, historical background, and research questions to provide insights into educational outcomes. Data from selected schools are analyzed to compare achievement levels and dropout rates. The study aims to shed light on the effectiveness of online charter schools versus traditional schools, particularly for at-risk students. 8 Relevant

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Comparative Analysis: Online vs. Traditional High Schools in California

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  1. Dissertation Topic (California State University, Fresno) A Comparative Study Between Online Charter High Schools and Traditional High Schoolsin California Rob Darrow, Ed.D. Virtual School Symposium, Nov. 2010 Rob’s Wiki: http://robdarrow.wikispaces.com

  2. Background – National Trends • Two educational trends challenging traditional education: ** Charter Schools ** Enrollment increases 11% - 20% per year ** Online Schools ** Enrollment increases 10% - 30% per year • Allen and Consoletti, 2010. Washington, D.C.: Center for Education Reform. • Allen & Seaman, 2010.

  3. One Other National Trend:Static Dropout Rates

  4. A little (parallel) history about charter and online schools • 1991-1992 – First states pass charter school laws (Minnesota and California) • 1994 – 1997 - First K-12 online schools. • Utah Electronic School, VHS, Inc., Florida Virtual School • 2007 – Number of onlinecharter schools: • 173 in 18 states • 92,235 students (Center for Ed Reform, 2008) • 2009 – More than a million K-12 online school students(Picciano and Seaman, 2009) • 2009 – 5,042 charter schools serve over 1.5 million students in 40 states

  5. Research Focus: California, because… • In California • 13% of the total U.S. K-12 public school student enrollment • 20% of the U.S. public charter school enrollment • Top rated state regarding charter school law and policy • National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (2010)

  6. Research Focus • Full Time Online Charter School Students • Full Time Traditional High School Students • At-Risk Students • In California • Measured By: • Achievement Test Scores • Dropout Rates

  7. Two silos from which information was collected: Full time students in traditional high schools, Grades 9-12, in California Full time students in online charter high schools, Grades 9-12, in California

  8. Research Questions • 1. Are there more at-risk students attending online charter high schools than traditional high schools in California? • 2. Are at-risk students more successful in online charter high schools than in traditional high schools in California?

  9. Defining Terms • Online High School • Attending courses online where 80% instruction is online • Charter School • independently operated public schools of choice (allowed by law in 40 states) • At-Risk • any student not making progress towards graduation • Success • proficient on California Standards Test/English-Language Arts (CST ELA) • lower number of student dropouts

  10. Online Course DefinitionsAllen & Seaman, 2007

  11. How are students who are at-risk / dropouts counted? • One student counts as a dropout if either: • A. Leaves a school and does NOT register at another school OR • B. Leaves a school and does NOT have a high school diploma • Standards set by US Department of Education (reported by states) • Counted in Grades 7-12 in California

  12. How are online school students counted? • Part-time Online Students • Take one or two online courses in addition to attending traditional school • One student in one course per semester counts one • Not officially counted (researcher surveys) • Full Time Online Students • One student attending the school counts one • Officially counted

  13. Research and Dropouts “Lack of school success is probably the greatest single cause which impels pupils to drop out of school.” • Ayres (1909). Laggards in our schools.

  14. High school graduation rates • Graduation rates have stayed the same…75% for the past 40 years • Wehlage et al. (1989)

  15. Comparison Study • Online charter high school students • 14 existed in California – 2006-2009 • Traditional high school students • Comparisons in: • Growth Rates • Achievement Rates • Dropout Rates

  16. Results: California Standards Test / English-Language Arts (CST ELA)2007-08 and 2008-09 • Taken yearly in grades 9, 10 and 11 • Selected Online Charter Schools • Selected Traditional Schools

  17. Year: 2007-2008CST ELA ComparisonsPercent Proficient and Above Online Charters Traditional Schools

  18. Year: 2008-2009CST ELA ComparisonsPercent Proficient and Above Online Charters Traditional Schools

  19. Results: Dropout Rates2006-07 and 2007-08 • Reported yearly in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 • Selected Online Charter Schools • Selected Traditional Schools

  20. Year: 2006-2007Dropout Percentages by Grade Note: 2006-07 Online Charter School Enrollment in Grades 11 and 12 was less than 100 students per grade Online Charters Traditional Schools

  21. Year: 2007-2008Dropout Percentages by Grade Online Charters Traditional Schools

  22. Statistics: InCalifornia… • Enrollment in online charter schools has increased each year for the past three years: 80%from 2006-07 to 2008-09 • Percent of students in charter high schools: 6% of total 9-12 enrollment • Percent of students in online charter high schools: .16% of total 9-12 enrollment

  23. Results: Achievement and Dropouts • Student Achievement (CST ELA) • Somewhat greater in traditional high schools than in online charter schools • Percentage difference ranged from 8% to 11% • Dropout Rates • Much greater in online charter schools than in traditional schools • Percentage difference ranged from 22% to 55%

  24. Implications for Practitioners • Full time online programs and charter schools attract more “at-risk” students because they have already left a traditional school • How to engage “at-risk” students in online or charter schools is the same as traditional schools: need caring adults to build relationships with students

  25. Final Reflection Based on My Research • Future students will attend schools that do have online options • Education at all levels (K-12, community college, university) should be designing and offering fully online courses now • Online learning will growwith or without the involvement of traditional schools

  26. Questions? Rob’s Wiki: http://robdarrow.wikispaces.com

  27. Selected References • Charter School Statistics • Allen, J., & Consoletti, A. (2010). Annual survey of America's charter schools. Washington, D.C.: Center for Education Reform. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from http://www.edreform.com/Press_Box/Press_Releases/?Annual_Survey_of_Americas_Charter_Schools_2010. • Tice, P., Chapman, C., Princiotta, D., & Bielick, S. (2006). Trends in the use of school choice 1993-2003. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 10, 2009, from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007045. • Online School Statistics • Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2010). Learning on demand: Online education in the United States, 2009. Newburyport, MA: The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved March 1, 2010, from http://www.aln.org/publications/survey/learning_on_demand_sr2010. • Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2007). Online nation: Five years of growth in online learning. Newburyport, MA: The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/online_nation. • Watson, J., Gemin, B., Ryan, J., & Wicks, M. (2009). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning. Denver, CO: Evergreen Education Group. Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.kpk12.com/download.html. • At-Risk Students • Wehlage, G. G., Rutter, R. A., Smith, G. A., Lesko, N., & Fernandez, R. R. (1989). Reducing the risk: Schools as communities of support. New York: Falmer Press. • Cataldi, E. F., Laird, J., KewalRamani, A., & Chapman, C. (2009). High school dropout and completion rates in the United States: 2007. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009064. • California Dropout Research Project. http://www.cdrp.ucsb.edu/. • National Dropout Prevention Center. http://www.dropoutprevention.org/ • Alliance for Education Excellence. http://www.all4ed.org/

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