MVU: Online Course Results Mixed Among Michigan K-12 Students

LANSING (WWJ) -- A new report from Michigan Virtual University finds mixed results for online learning in Michigan.

The study from MVU's Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute study found mixed results for nearly 200 thousand virtual courses taken by K-12 students in the 2012-13 school year.

The report requested by the Michigan Legislature found a lower completion rates for virtual courses compared to courses at schools. But the courses are working well for some schools -- 40 percent of Michigan schools had a virtual course completion rate over 80 percent.

The study shows steady growth in the number of students and schools participating in virtual courses, most in core areas like science and math.

MVU also said the study shows many schools are putting students with a worse academic track record into virtual courses -- and MVU officials say the opposite should be true.

The authors of the report examined self-reported data submitted by Michigan school districts to the Michigan Department of Education and the Center for Educational Performance and Information during the first three years of data collected on virtual enrollments in Michigan.

The report may be downloaded at: http://media.mivu.org/institute/pdf/effectiveness_report_2013.pdf.