Net Choices, Net Gains: Supplementing the High School Curriculum with Online Courses

By: Julie Aronson, Michael Timms

Online learning programs can help schools enrich their curriculum. But a school’s decision to participate in such a program and its choice of program should be based on a solid understanding of what program characteristics contribute to successful online learning for students. Drawing from a review of the research literature, interviews with national experts in online learning, and the authors’ evaluation of a statewide online learning program in California, this Knowledge Brief identifies key issues that schools should investigate when considering the online learning option. Net Choice, Net Gains makes recommendations related to online curriculum and assessment, effective student support, technology, professional development for online instructors and student-support staff, policy and administration, funding, and outreach.