Program aimed at smaller schools
The program is not geared to large school districts such as Sioux Falls, where about 1,000 students take AP classes in traditional classrooms at Roosevelt, Lincoln and Washington. Students here would be eligible, especially in the case of a scheduling conflict, but they would need the school district's approval to participate. The district pushes AP courses and helps with the testing fee for students in need. But it's deeply invested in providing classroom teaching rather than the Internet product.
"We're certainly not going to deny someone that," said Washington High counselor Matt Mims. "But we're not going to promote it because we have the classes they're offering. I don't see the students taking it online when they can take it in person live with the teacher."
Promoters don't argue the point. Jim Parry, director of the Learning Power program, said he expects 400 South Dakota high school students will take part next fall with a chance to earn their $100 bonuses next spring. He'd like to see that number balloon to 600. "Frankly, I hope we break the bank," he said. Still, while flexibility and technical innovation are advantages in online learning, it's also considered a consolation prize compared to a traditional classroom.
"Philosophically, when you can have face-to-face instruction with a strong teacher, that's always the first preference," Parry said from Rapid City.
