Staff Editorial
As a result of the expansion of Cyber High, Mira Costa students now have an additional opportunity to recover credits for failed classes. Although Cyber High will not provide students with an authentic classroom experience, it provides valuable assistance and flexibility for students in need of additional credits.
The University of California Office of the President accredited Cyber High as an online remediation program, according to CyberHigh Teacher Michael McAvin. It is intended for students needing credits for two or more required courses, Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. Three periods are now offered during the school year.
Costa offers Cyber High to juniors and seniors, Costa Vice Principal Kristina Gerger said. This policy is practical because by the time students become upperclassmen, they are approaching the deadline for acquiring sufficient credits to graduate, so the school’s focus should be to ensure that students meet the graduation requirements.
When students take their class through Cyber High, their previous grade ends up being replaced; however, their original grade will still show on their transcript, McAvin said. Displaying both grades is fair overall because students are rightfully held accountable while simultaneously benefitting from seeing how they have greatly improved.
Cyber High courses are typically an eight-week commitment, McAvin said. Taking the course for only eight weeks may not be as comprehensive as the year-round class due to the shortened length, but the structure of online courses is an asset that allows students to balance their schedules in the most effective manner.
Furthermore, according to McAvin, students take the course in the presence of a credentialed teacher. This adult supervision takes away some of the concerns of students abusing technology as a means of academic dishonesty, creating a fair and honest learning environment for students.
During the school year, Cyber High is free, McAvin said. According to the Cyber High and MBX Curriculum, costs for Cyber High during the summer are $275 per class. Therefore, providing classes during the year for free is a constructive decision that will provide equal opportunities for all students who fall behind.
According to a La Vista survey of 200 students, the price of $275 is viewed as a fair price, meaning that most students value the flexible nature of the curriculum, regardless of the cost.
Cyber High serves as an additional tool for students at Mira Costa. The online remediation process serves its purpose of allowing students to recover credits effectively and justly supports students who may have encountered difficulty in the past to reclaim success in high school.
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