Just a decade ago, the notion of attending high school on the Internet seemed futuristic. Yet, today, thousands of students are doing just that. This authoritative volume is the first to provide a thorough, detailed account of the virtual high school. Based on a 5-year study conducted by experienced researchers at SRI International, this book answers such questions as: What is the difference between an online and a face-to-face classroom? What is it like to take, or to teach, an online course? Are online courses effective? What are the problems with its use? Will this new technology change the way teaching and learning is done?

Providing invaluable insight into an increasingly popular educational technology, this book:

• Examines the phenomenal growth of virtual high schooling, especially through the lens of one of the pioneering efforts—the Hudson Public Schools–Concord Consortium Virtual High School (VHS).
• Draws on a massive research study that includes surveys, focus groups, classroom observations, and interviews with superintendents, principals, teachers, students, and leaders of many virtual high schools.
• Provides a balanced perspective that addresses both the strengths and weaknesses of online learning, including lessons learned.
• Provides crucial information to assist educators and policymakers in creating, adapting, and learning how to effectively use these new online schools.
• Examines the implications that online schooling has for the future of education.