District's Online Course Program Off To A Slow Start

The goal of attracting students with online courses has gotten off to a slow start.

But that doesn't necessarily mean the effort will be abandoned.

In August the school board hired VLN, of Pittsburgh, to offer the courses for a Hybrid Academy to start in September. Under the new program, students are offered the flexibility of taking some courses online while taking others at the high school. The target audience: 63 township youngsters who were getting their high school education through online courses elsewhere.

This school year eight students signed up for the district's Hybrid Academy.

“One was a dropout of Bensalem and the other seven were in other charters or out of district placements,” said Superintendent David Baugh. “It is going OK. We are pleased these students have this opportunity. We hate when kids drop out so we are glad to have these students sitting here.”

Baugh did acknowledge some level of disappointment.

“We wanted lots more. We have a better offering,” he said.

But he also added it's a “good bet” the district won't abandon the Hybrid Academy.

The district also sees the program as a money saver.

District officials have explained that whereas the district was spending $10,475 annually for each student taking online courses elsewhere, the VLN program costs the district about $4,850 per student in the first year if they take all their courses online. After that, the cost could rise depending upon the level of customization, plus there is a $16,750 annual district fee.

The contract with VLN renews annually, with a 45-day opt-out.