As a result of investigating possible reasons behind a lower-than-anticipated state-wide graduation rate, education officials in Idaho determined the cause to be the state’s virtual (online) charter schools, from which it seems the majority of students do not graduate. According to an eSchool News report, graduation rates from these schools sit at just 20%, which is lower than the state’s schools for at-risk students, who tend to achieve graduation rates of 36%. “The bad news is that alternative schools and virtual schools have very low graduation rates, which drag down the overall state average,” state Board of Education President Don Soltman told lawmakers. The report also found that many Idahoans are unaware of how their state compares with other states when it comes to online education.
As a result of investigating possible reasons behind a lower-than-anticipated state-wide graduation rate, education officials in Idaho determined the cause to be the state’s virtual (online) charter schools, from which it seems the majority of students do not graduate. According to an eSchool News report, graduation rates from these schools sit at just 20%, which is lower than the state’s schools for at-risk students, who tend to achieve graduation rates of 36%. The report also found that many Idahoans are unaware of how their state compares with other states when it comes to online education.