Education

Online classes skyrocket in popularity for Montana students

Posted: Dec 27, 2012 10:38 PM by Marnee Banks - MTN News

More high school students are taking online courses, so the Montana Office of Public Instruction is asking for more funding to help meet the growing demand for internet instruction.

OPI is asking the Montana Legislature for added funding for its Digital Academy program.

Administrators initially expected the Digital Academy to serve about 500 students in Montana. But since it began in 2010, enrollment has skyrocketed to 5,000.

OPI is projecting it will double to 10,000 in two more years.

Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Dennis Parman says they are asking for $1.5 million in additional funding to continue the program for two more years.

"We had two primary focuses: no cost and high quality. We have nothing but Montana licensed teachers teaching to Montana students and responding to Montana school," Parman says. "I think all of those things coming together at one time really has lead us to where we are today."

Parman says many rural students are taking classes like foreign languages and digital photography that they wouldn't otherwise have access to.

He also says students in urban areas are retaking classes they failed so they can stay on target to graduate on time.

Click here to visit the Digital Academy website.