Alternative schools uncover potential behind special needs students

Online schools may offer an option to parents of special needs students who feel their children don't get specialized attention they need in more traditional schools.

Barbara Major is the parent of an autistic 7-year-old in the second grade and who had difficulty learning in public school. But he has made significant strides since she enrolled him at the Arizona Virtual Academy (AzVA), an online school, she says.

"The quality of education is superior to public schools," Major said. "He's learned more in the past month than he did all last year."

Major's son is learning to read, she said.

He was unable to talk after the trauma of throat surgery when he was 2, she said, but he now is able to vocalize, thanks to curriculum materials provided by AzVA.

"At public schools they don't get the one-on-one individual help when they need it," Major said. "This curriculum is geared toward them. It's top-notch; they can't just ease through it."

Tom Tyree, Yuma County School superintendent, said an online school may offer some advantages for special needs students, but for every benefit they may offer, there could be a downside.

"How many people give testimonials about a teacher who touched their life and inspired them?" Tyree said. "I don't think you get that online. As a parent, I would not discount anyone who favors an alternative, but as an educator I want to maximize every child's learning opportunity and for the majority, online is not the best choice."

AzVA is a public school regulated by the state and meets all the standards required of bricks-and- mortar schools, Major said. Textbooks are shipped to the students by the school along with a desktop computer and printer, and teaching aids tailored toward special needs students.

Major said her son is difficult to teach because he has a short attention span, but that he is capable of learning as long as he is taught his way. Flash cards, puzzles, numbered or lettered tiles, along with "counting bears," enable a visual learner like Major's son to progress.

She said parents must be willing to work at home with students who learn through AzVA. "It's a little extra work for parents, but the kids are worth it."

Major's son is now studying math, world history, language arts, science, phonics and art. He proceeds at his own pace but he must pass an assessment exam before advancing to the next lesson, she said.

But Major's son also receives face-to-face interaction with his teacher, Jena Kugel. He meets with Kugel at least once a week at the First Christian Church along with other students.

"We're in contact with the teacher pretty much every day, and anytime I need Jena, I leave a message and she phones within the hour," Major said.

Kugel said that if Major's son was struggling with a concept, she could schedule remedial help through the "Elluminate classroom," a live online conference with the teacher and other students to solve stumbling blocks.

"The great thing about AzVA is if a child is gifted, we can offer next year's curriculum as soon as he masters this year's," Kugel said. "We keep the gifted stimulated so they're never bored. And if they need assistance, we have a department of extra teachers for remedial help."

It is a false assumption that home-schooled children's socialization skills are deficient, Kugel insisted. "These kids are some of the most well-rounded, intelligent and respectful kids I've worked with."

Learning involves more than dissemination of information, Tyree said. Good schooling requires a broad range of classroom activities, some that are hands on. Also, students learn from questioning one another.

Tyree acknowledged online schools can provide face-to-face opportunities and parents should have a choice of options and tailor their decisions to the needs of each child.

Major said the online school reduces her worry about safety issues for her son as there is always increased risks from exposing an autistic child in a public place, and yet online school affords numerous opportunities to schedule play dates and events with other online students.

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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.