Military snubbing cyber-school students
Federal policy severely limits the number of recruits U.S. armed forces can take from virtual high schools
From staff and wire reports
Read more by staff and wire services reports
Critics say the military is behind the times and point to the growth on online instruction at all levels of education.
Students graduating from the growing ranks of virtual high schools are running into a hurdle if their goal is to join the military: The Pentagon doesn’t want many recruits with non-traditional diplomas.
Many would-be soldiers like Ryker Packard, 17, of Fassett, Pa., say they weren’t aware the armed services have a policy of not taking more than 10 percent of recruits with a non-traditional high school diploma. Critics, including some in Congress, say the military is behind the times and point to the growth on online instruction at all levels of education, including college degrees.
“It just grinds my gears,” said Packard, who wants to become an Army diesel mechanic after graduating from Pennsylvania’s Agora Cyber Charter School in June.
Packard said his conversation with an Army recruiter came to a brusque end after he told him he was due to graduate from a virtual school. “He just wouldn’t talk to me,” said Packard.
Packard’s mom, Sherri, said her son switched to online instruction after floundering in a geometry course at his brick-and-mortar school. Once he got the attention of online teachers, his grades improved, she said.
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Packard said her son’s school is fully accredited by the state of Pennsylvania, which requires students to pass the same tests and meet the same curriculum requirements as those in traditional schools.
“It’s part of the public school system,” said Sherri Packard, 43. “It’s considered one of the best in the state.”
rwagoner287
May 9, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I think the issue is that some students who opt for virtual schools want to “attend” school on their own terms or may not get along with teachers and other students very well. This type of student probably won’t mix well in an environment that expects you to follow orders and stick to a strict conduct of behavior. Virtual schools can replace the basic academics, but not all the other skills students learn in a traditional school.
rwagoner287
May 9, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I think the issue is that some students who opt for virtual schools want to “attend” school on their own terms or may not get along with teachers and other students very well. This type of student probably won’t mix well in an environment that expects you to follow orders and stick to a strict conduct of behavior. Virtual schools can replace the basic academics, but not all the other skills students learn in a traditional school.
tkordic
May 9, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Normally, I would not agree with something like this, but when it has to do the military, I can see why there is a problem. The military is is all about working with others and the word “team” is key. Many times students who choose virtual schools have social issues, outside of the academic reasons, and this could pose in issue for the way the military trains and does business. I would not say this means everyone, but I can just do not see this as the military being outdated as stated in the article, but more about what type of person that would best fit their training model.
tkordic
May 9, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Normally, I would not agree with something like this, but when it has to do the military, I can see why there is a problem. The military is is all about working with others and the word “team” is key. Many times students who choose virtual schools have social issues, outside of the academic reasons, and this could pose in issue for the way the military trains and does business. I would not say this means everyone, but I can just do not see this as the military being outdated as stated in the article, but more about what type of person that would best fit their training model.
martha_murphy
May 9, 2011 at 3:47 pm
This article is better at provoking questions than providing answers. Data such as that presented by the military requires a closer look and questioning. Your informants address completely different issues instead of addressing each others’ arguments. The military is a very traditional system that requires its members to work closely with others rather than seeking alternatives, so on the surface the military’s data seems to make perfect sense.
martha_murphy
May 9, 2011 at 3:47 pm
This article is better at provoking questions than providing answers. Data such as that presented by the military requires a closer look and questioning. Your informants address completely different issues instead of addressing each others’ arguments. The military is a very traditional system that requires its members to work closely with others rather than seeking alternatives, so on the surface the military’s data seems to make perfect sense.
morrisboyd
May 9, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I agree with the military. I would not hire someone who had a cyber-degree. I have been using technology since the 1960′s but raditional schols offer a more holistic education. Online education should be considered supplemental and utilized with tutors.
morrisboyd
May 9, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I agree with the military. I would not hire someone who had a cyber-degree. I have been using technology since the 1960′s but raditional schols offer a more holistic education. Online education should be considered supplemental and utilized with tutors.
frharry
May 11, 2011 at 11:16 pm
While I disagree with the military in principle, I think the arguments made in the posts above are on target. Online education tends to be consumerist, focused on the individual. It emphasizes doing things on one’s own schedule and minimalizes requirements of the student. Listen to the advertising for online programs including those at reputable state universities. Listen carefully for minimalist language: “Just…Only…A minimum of…” Does the military want products of hyperindividualist, consumerist substitutes for traditional education? Does such a background bode well for the highly regimented, duty and authority driven life of the military? Indeed, does it even bode well for participation in society generally?
It’s time for the advocates of Technopoly (read Postman’s book if you don’t know what it is) to recognize that technology is not the answer for every question. One of those questions is education. It is a means, on a good day, to education. When we lose sight of that and make it the end in itself, we have already lost.
frharry
May 11, 2011 at 11:16 pm
While I disagree with the military in principle, I think the arguments made in the posts above are on target. Online education tends to be consumerist, focused on the individual. It emphasizes doing things on one’s own schedule and minimalizes requirements of the student. Listen to the advertising for online programs including those at reputable state universities. Listen carefully for minimalist language: “Just…Only…A minimum of…” Does the military want products of hyperindividualist, consumerist substitutes for traditional education? Does such a background bode well for the highly regimented, duty and authority driven life of the military? Indeed, does it even bode well for participation in society generally?
It’s time for the advocates of Technopoly (read Postman’s book if you don’t know what it is) to recognize that technology is not the answer for every question. One of those questions is education. It is a means, on a good day, to education. When we lose sight of that and make it the end in itself, we have already lost.
markarnoldmdihs
May 12, 2011 at 11:42 am
Nothing wrong with Pig Farming to help pay your way through college… traditional, virtual, or blended. You will probably have a clearer conscious with a little pig slop on your boots than the sand and oil from fighting for the U.S. Oil Industry.
markarnoldmdihs
May 12, 2011 at 11:42 am
Nothing wrong with Pig Farming to help pay your way through college… traditional, virtual, or blended. You will probably have a clearer conscious with a little pig slop on your boots than the sand and oil from fighting for the U.S. Oil Industry.