Class is in session online: The Web connects troubled students to education

Online classes are a great resource for high school students to mitigate dropout rates for those with special circumstances.

Increased flexibility will help students who might otherwise drop out due to family obligations.

Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School part of Durham Public Schools will integrate online courses in its curriculum in attempt to improve the system's graduation rate of these students.

By participating in North Carolina Virtual Public School the school will attempt to tackle the problem by giving students more freedom in their schedules.

Many students drop out of high school simply because they don't have a choice not from lack of focus. Many have to help younger siblings at home or get jobs to support family.

But these students are entitled to the same basic education as everyone else.

Now that the school is participating in North Carolina Virtual Public School these students can study anywhere with Internet access at a time that is most convenient for them.

Online classes can't completely make up for the experience of attending class getting up early for homeroom and connecting with teachers.

But these online courses will only act as a supplement not a substitute to the in-class courses.

An AT&T; grant covers the cost of 25 laptops to be given to the students who participate so it costs the school nothing said principal Kendra O'Neal-Williams.

More schools should consider participating in the state's virtual school program to curb dropout rates in the state.