How can I tell if my child is ready to plan for assignments and complete them on time? How can I tell if my child is ready to be more independent?

Having a child that wants or needs to complete their high school education online is really not that different from a more traditional learning environment. However, there are some common concerns. One of the biggest concerns for many parents is if their student is ready for the responsibilities that come with going to school online.

This is a question you should pose to your child. Ask them directly if they are ready to map out their course work. Talk to them about the responsibilities they will have. Let them know that this environment requires them to be more independent, and though that can be challenging, it is part of growing up.

If your child seems positive about the change, and they feel like they will be able to tackle all the tasks for online high school, work with them to make a plan. Have them talk you through how they are going to manage their course work along with their chosen extracurricular activities and other daily obligations.

However, if your student seems more hesitant like he or she may not be comfortable with the idea of taking on more responsibilities, that’s ok too. Change can be scary, but if you are sure that this is the right step for your child, be confident and let them know that it is ok to be worried and that you have a plan to help him or her gets and stay on track. Then work with your student to set up a schedule to help them stay self-motivated.

If after talking to your child, you find that you are unsure about their ability to stick to the plan that you have made, revisit your decision about making an education change.