Long after COVID shutdowns, many Ohio students are still learning online
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Six years after Ohio first moved school online during COVID shutdowns, several virtual schools from that era remain.
Why it matters: Proponents say they offer flexibility to kids facing unique challenges, from health concerns to unstable homes and demanding jobs.
- But the number of traditional K-12 districts offering them has dropped by about a third since 2022, from 81 to 57, the latest state data shows.
Case in point: Pickerington will end its program for grades 7-12 this summer, citing costs and declining enrollment.
How it works: The programs, which lawmakers authorized in 2021, operate like a school building within a traditional district, but virtually.
- They're separate from online charter schools, which took off in the early 2000s.
- Students typically receive a combination of live video instruction and self-paced schoolwork on district-issued devices.
What they're saying: "We all remember how chaotic that first couple months online was" in 2020, Columbus Online Academy counselor Julia Mac Nair tells Axios.
- "A lot of people remember that and hold onto that specific memory of online learning, and either don't want to or can't see that it's evolved."
Zoom in: With over 400 students, the Columbus City Schools academy was among Ohio's largest online schools last year.
- That's even after scaling back to grades 7-12, not K-12.
- Its staff of about 30 works on a floor of the Preparatory School for Boys in Eastmoor, where students can stop by for help.
Friction point: Tracking students' work remains a hurdle, much like during the pandemic, principal Christian Angel says.
- Students self-report attendance minute-by-minute for state funding.
- Based on the state's "full-time equivalent" calculation — which measures coursework completed, not headcounts — the academy's enrollment was 122, per state data.
Yes, but: Overall, the program is showing promise for students who struggle in a traditional classroom setting, Angel says.
- She's proud of the school's success with student parents, including a nursery-style setup full of donated items and other support.
- All 18 moms enrolled so far have graduated.
The bottom line: "It's not for everyone," Angel says, "but for the kiddos who need this space, we're here for them."
