Why a Free Online Curriculum May End Up Being Costly in the Long-Run
As more and more school districts shift to a free online high school curriculum, some are starting to question the long-term costs of doing so.
While the initial investment is small, there are many hidden costs associated with using a free online high school curriculum that may not be immediately apparent.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the potential costs of using a free online curriculum and explore why they may end up being costly in the long-run.
What is a Free Online High School Curriculum?
A free online high school curriculum is a set of educational materials that are freely available online. This can include textbooks, lectures, assignments, and other resources.
Typically, a free online high school curriculum is offered by a state or local government as part of an effort to provide low-cost or no-cost education to students.
What are the Benefits of Using a Free Online High School Curriculum?
There are several potential benefits to using a free online high school curriculum. Some of the top benefits include:
1. Increased access to education
One of the biggest benefits of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can help increase access to education. By making materials freely available online, more students can have access to them, regardless of their location or economic background.
2. Cost savings
Another significant benefit of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can save districts money. When materials are freely available online, schools don’t have to spend money on things such as textbooks and other resources.
Additionally, they may be able to reduce additional costs associated with running a school, such as transportation and facility costs.
3. Improved learning outcomes
While there is still some debate on this point, many studies suggest that using a free online high school curriculum can actually improve learning outcomes.
One study found that students who used an online math curriculum outperformed those who didn’t. Another study found that online students had higher GPAs and were more likely to graduate than their offline peers.
4. Greater flexibility
Free online high school curricula can also offer greater flexibility for students and teachers. Students can often work at their own pace and on their own schedule, which can help those who have busy lives or need to accommodate different learning styles.
In addition, online high school teachers can use the materials in a variety of ways, tailoring them to meet the needs of their students.
5. More engaging
Free online high school curricula can also be more engaging than traditional materials. This is because they often make use of multimedia, such as videos and interactive games.
Besides, free online courses can be updated more frequently to keep up with the latest changes in the world.
6. Increased equity
Some proponents of free online high school curricula argue that they can help increase equity in education. By providing everyone with access to the same materials, regardless of their background or economic status, everyone has a level playing field when it comes to education.
7. Improved graduation rates
Studies suggest that using a free online high school curriculum can actually improve graduation rates. One study found that students who used an online math curriculum were more likely to graduate than those who didn’t.
8. Higher test scores
In addition to improved graduation rates, some studies have also found that students who use a free online high school curriculum tend to score higher on standardized tests.
For example, one study found that students who used an online math curriculum scored higher on the Math section of the SAT than those who didn’t.
9. More engaged students
In addition to higher test scores, another benefit of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can help keep students more engaged in their education. This is because they often have more control over their learning and can work at their own pace.
Additionally, they may be more likely to participate in extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports.
10. A wide variety of courses
Finally, one of the best things about free online high school curricula is that they often offer various courses. This means that students can find materials that fit their interests and needs.
Whether you’re looking for math, science, English, or social studies resources, you’re likely to find what you need with a free online high school curriculum.
What Are the Potential Costs of Using a Free Online High School Curriculum?
While there are many potential benefits to using a free online high school curriculum, there are also some potential costs that should be considered.
Some of the top 10 potential costs include:
1. Limited access to resources
One of the biggest potential problems with using a free online high school curriculum is that it can limit access to resources. If materials are only available online, then students who don’t have reliable internet access may have difficulty accessing them.
Additionally, students who don’t have computers or other devices may also have difficulty taking advantage of a free online curriculum.
2. Lack of personalization
Another potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can lack the personalization that’s often important for learning.
When materials are freely available online, they’re typically not tailored to meet the specific needs of individual students. This can make it difficult for some students to learn effectively.
3. Quality control issues
Another potential problem with using a free online high school curriculum is that there may be quality control issues. Since anyone can create and post materials online, there’s no guarantee that they’re accurate or up-to-date.
In addition, some free online resources may be biased or contain misinformation.
4. Commitment issues
The other potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can require a significant commitment from students and parents.
In order to take advantage of a free online curriculum, students will need to be willing to put in the time and effort to learn independently.
Moreover, parents may need to be involved in helping their children access and use materials effectively.
5. Implementation challenges
Another potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can be difficult to implement. Since there’s no centralized location for materials, it can be tough to keep track of everything.
Additionally, high schools may need to provide additional support and resources to help students and parents navigate the different options.
6. Privacy and security concerns
A final potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that there may be privacy and security concerns. Since materials are typically stored online, there’s a risk that they could be hacked or accessed without permission.
Also, some students may not feel comfortable sharing their personal information with online resources.
7. Technical difficulties
Another potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that there may be technical difficulties. If materials are only available online, then students and parents may need to troubleshoot issues like slow internet connections or broken links.
Additionally, high schools may need to provide additional support to help students and parents overcome these challenges.
8. Internet access
Another major potential cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that it requires students to have internet access.
For students who don’t have the internet at home, this can mean having to go to a library or another public place to get online. It can also be expensive for schools to provide internet access for all of their students.
9. Limited options
While there are many free online high school curricula available, there are still limitations on what’s available. For example, not all subjects may be covered by a free online curriculum.
Furthermore, some schools may not offer a free online option for every grade level. In the long run, this could limit a student’s ability to get a well-rounded education which may be costly.
10. Time commitment
A final cost of using a free online high school curriculum is that it can require a significant time commitment. To take advantage of a free online curriculum, students will need to be willing to put in the time and effort to learn independently.
Moreover, parents may need to be involved in helping their children access and use materials effectively.
Get a Quality High School Curriculum Through High School of America
If you’re looking for an affordable and quality high school curriculum, you may want to consider High School of America.
At High School of America, we offer a variety of high school courses that are available both online and in-person. Furthermore, our courses are developed by experienced educators and are aligned with state standards.
Lastly, our tuition is very affordable, and we offer a variety of payment options to make it even easier for families to afford our program.
Conclusion
While the free online curriculum may seem like a cost-effective option in the short-run, it can actually be quite costly when factoring in all of the associated expenses.
Contact High School of America today to learn more about our affordable and comprehensive online high school diploma program. We offer a variety of flexible scheduling options and career-focused courses that will help your student thrive both academically and professionally.