Parents of children with chronic illnesses have many challenges to face. One of these many challenges is helping their children stay caught up with their peers in school when they might have to miss weeks of school at a time. So,Ěýhow can online schools preventĚýthese children from falling behind? Let’s take a look.

1. Students Can Learn from Anywhere

A major challenge for children with illnesses is missing out on valuable class time. In fact, some children are forced to take summer classes or risk being held back due to missed classroom hours. Chronically ill children enrolled in online classes don’t have to worry about missing class time. Instead, they can choose to work on their schooling from anywhere that they have Internet access.

From some of these children, working from a hospital bed or the comfort of their own home is the only way that they are going to complete school assignments in a timely manner as going into a school isn’t an option.

Children with compromised immune systems also benefit from not having to go to a school where they are exposed to hundreds of other people all day. The germs and illnesses that these people carry could be very harmful to someone with a compromised immune system.

2. Students Can Learn Any Time

Children with chronic illnesses might need to be on different schedules than their peers. Students who are in the hospital are going to be frequently disturbed while they are trying to sleep, which leads to daytime naps. This erratic sleep schedule can make it difficult to complete more than a couple of hours of schoolwork at a time. Being able to complete lessons after rest will not only make it easier to get through the work, but it will also help students do better on the assignments than they would if they were trying to stay awake on very little sleep.

When these students need operations, it can be especially tricky to plan out a school day. Fortunately, online schools, such as 51±¬ÁĎ, don’t care when students log in to complete their coursework. This means that children can prepare for any long-term hospitalizations after an operation or other treatment by doing more schoolwork before their stay in the hospital. Additionally, after an operation, students can complete coursework as they feel up for it, which may be just an hour at a time.

Medications can also be problematic for concentration. If a treatment or medication leads to a reduced ability to concentrate or anxiety, children might realize they can’t focus on their schoolwork. Being able to do their coursework when they do have the ability to focus on learning will help students be more successful.

3. Students Avoid Trouble in the Classroom for Behavioral Issues

Kids with serious chronic illnesses might also suffer from behavioral issues. These behavioral issues can stem from the illness, the medications or treatments the child is receiving, or the stress associated with having a serious health condition. While behavioral issues are very frustrating for teachers in classrooms with other children, parents can help redirect their children in a one-on-one manner and avoid the embarrassment and frustration outbursts that might occur in a traditional classroom.

4. Students Avoid Torment from Peers

Unfortunately, children with chronic illnesses are often targets of bullying and torment in traditional schools. Sometimes, children don’t truly understand what one another are going through, so it could be that the other kids don’t really understand why one classmate is allowed to miss school a lot or that the illness isn’t contagious. In other cases, a child with a chronic illness might be dealing with mean-spirited, cruel children who have deemed the child to be an easy target.

Either way, teasing and bullying can have both physical and psychological impacts on young children. Avoiding this type of torment can benefit children with chronic illnesses in numerous ways, including reducing stress and anxiety.

5. Students Can Find More Success

When children with chronic illnesses are in school, they might still be battling, fatigue, pain, and other factors that can prohibit their success. Poor grades are common in these students, even when they haven’t missed large chunks of the school year. While schools are better equipped to deal with these types of situations than they were in the past, many students still don’t receive the grades that they are capable of.

Students that choose to do online schooling might notice that their grades increase substantially due to the factors listed above. When students with chronic illnesses are able to do their coursework when they are feeling well, they are more likely to get good grades in all of their classes.

If you are the parent of a child with a chronic illness, an online school might be something that you want to consider. Learn more about howĚý51±¬ÁĎ could help your child.

All students – the ones who struggle and the ones who soar – deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We developed Acellus to apply science to the learning process, using advanced technology and feedback analysis to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Parents who have enrolled students in 51±¬ÁĎ are calling Acellus a “game-changer.” Students who had become disinterested in education are regaining self-esteem and making academic progress, which was previously deemed impossible.

So what is the “secret sauce” that makes Acellus work like magic? It’s science. Building on modern research, Acellus developers study the way students learn, identify obstacles to learning, and experiment with different techniques rooted in cognitive science to discover the ones that accelerate learning. This article takes a peek under the hood at one of the core technologies that make Acellus so effective.

Vectored Instruction

The purpose of Vectored Instruction is to provide the right help to students – right when they need it most. A vector is something that has magnitude and direction. For example, force has a certain intensity and direction, which makes it a vector. At Acellus, we wanted to apply this to the education process. This cutting-edge technology looks atĚýwhyĚýstudents do not understand certain concepts. When we understand why students struggle on particular concepts, we can create special lessons that fill in the gaps.

Our team at Acellus has conducted research to uncover the reasons why students struggle. We collect data on how students are applying concepts to problems from each lesson. After studying this data, we use it to improve our courses and lessons. Researching how students perform in their courses allows us to take the feedback from the learning system to continuously make it better.

Our research has shown that large percentages of students give the same wrong answers. When we compare these answers, it helps us identify where these students need help. Using Prism Diagnostics, we are able to group students into spectrums or categories based on common foundational skills that they are missing or learned incorrectly in previous classes. If a student doesn’t know a concept that is foundational for the course they’re in, the system needs to build it. Likewise, if they learned a concept incorrectly, we need to reverse it.

Vectored Instruction, combined with Prism Diagnostics, fills the holes in students’ foundational knowledge. When the Acellus Learning System identifies these holes, it uses Vectored Instruction by prompting a special lesson to help students catch up. This course structure empowers students to be successful in the subjects they struggle with the most.

For example, take a math problem that asks students to apply multi-digit multiplication. A student who got the problem wrong likely landed on one of four potential answers. Based on the student’s answer, the Learning System will provide the student with an extra help video that explains why their answer was incorrect and how to work it out accurately. Therefore, when that student goes on to another, more complex problem, they will know how to work through it the right way, the first time.

51±¬ÁĎ and Vectored Instruction

Vectored Instruction and Prism Diagnostics are integrated intoĚýthe accredited online coursesĚýoffered through 51±¬ÁĎ. These tools are also usedĚýby teachers in classroomsĚýacross the country.

Acellus seeks out the most qualified educators to help us create the engaging lessons and help videos that make up the Acellus Learning System. This allows us to give our students interactive courses that make them excited about learning and ignite their curiosity.

The tools we have integrated into 51±¬ÁĎ courses help many different types of students excel. The self-paced structure of our courses allows students who struggle with certain subjects to spend as much time as they need to fully comprehend the lessons.

51±¬ÁĎ uses science to improve the education process and adapts to students’ unique needs, which leads students to become excited about learning.

51±¬ÁĎ is a K-12Ěýonline school that providesĚýstudents with personalized learning experiences using theĚýAcellus Learning Accelerator. Results show that students have improved academically with Acellus, not only in our online school but in classrooms as well. What many 51±¬ÁĎ parents and students may not realize is that teachers across the country have implemented Acellus in their classrooms. Superintendents, school administrators, and teachers report academic growth, declining dropout rates, and significant gains in their student’s standardized test scores.

Educators have implemented Acellus tools in a variety of ways. For example, teachers use blended learning methods, which combine online learning with face-to-face instruction. Other teachers have used it as a supplementary resource that gives students extra help with subjects with which they struggle. For any parent who is considering whether our online program is right for their child, here are just a few examples of how educators have seen success using Acellus tools in their classrooms.

Improved Student Comprehension

The Acellus Learning Accelerator uses a variety of tools to ensure students are on track with academic performance for their age group. For example, our Vectored Instruction tool recognizes deficiencies in each student’s background knowledge. When a student is struggling with a subject or concept, it usually is not necessary to review the entire previous grade level. Instead, they only review certain lessons from past courses that are relevant to what they haven’t quite grasped yet. This process increases student comprehension because it allows students to focus on the concepts they need help with and master each one at their own pace.

A department head at Ingleside Independent School District (ISD) in Texas reported that students gained two to three years’ worth of course materials in a semester. The students are placed in classes for their individual levels, which increases on-task and task completion behavior. This helps to bridge potential gaps in student knowledge and sets them up for success as they progress through each grade level.

Higher Standardized Assessment Scores

School districts around the country have seen improvements in standardized test scores after implementing the Acellus learning tools in their classrooms. The former superintendent from Crescent Public Schools in Oklahoma reportedĚýthat both middle schoolĚýandĚýhigh school test scoresĚýimproved after trading in traditional textbooks for Acellus math courses. The district reported that the average score of the adequate yearly progress (AYP) test increased substantially. For middle school students, scores improved from an average of 1200 to an average of 1341 (the highest possible being 1500) in just one year.

The Acellus Learning System that these schools use in their classrooms is also integrated into 51±¬ÁĎ courses. Like other schools that have implemented Acellus, our students see significant academic gains after beginning coursework on Acellus.

More Positive Attitudes Toward Learning

The goal of Acellus is to help students learn and excel in school. However, we also want to help students enjoy their courses, develop a positive attitude toward academics, and to understand how knowledge can empower their future. With the Acellus Learning Accelerator, educators say that students are becoming more encouraged. They describe it as seeing “the light bulb click” for certain subjects and concepts.

An instructor in the Chino Unified School District in California says that students were having trouble with math and would become frustrated and discouraged. With Acellus, they became more attentive, and the teacher saw a spark of interest that wasn’t there before.

Increased Graduation Rates

The Acellus Learning Accelerator yields many benefits, including increased comprehension and more optimistic outlooks on learning. Although these are all wonderful benefits, increasing graduation rates is the most significant part.

A former principal at Plainfield High School in New Jersey credits the school’s increasing graduation rates to the Acellus Learning Accelerator. In 2016, the rate was below 75 percent, but three years later, it reached 90 percent.

When students do well, and they are more engaged in their academics, the likelihood that they graduate from high school dramatically increases. A high school diploma opens many doors for students after graduation that they would not have otherwise. Students can go on to college to further expand their knowledge about certain subjects, or they can enter the working world with a variety of career opportunities.

51±¬ÁĎ students have seen the same success as the students who have used Acellus in their classrooms. We have seen students enroll who were discouraged about education that experienced significant improvements in their comprehension and test scores, as well as changed their perspective of learning and school.

If everything we are doing with Acellus were to change the life of just one child, it would be well worth it, but we are changing the lives of millions of children at thousands of schools. It is exciting to be involved in something that is having such a significant impact.

STEM—standing for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—is one of the most talked-about aspects of curriculum for young learners. Part of the reason it is so widely discussed is that the field is rapidly expanding. In fact, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated in 2016 that STEM occupations are growing at a rate of 17 percent compared to other occupations at just 9.8 percent. However, STEM curriculum isn’t only important because of the demand for new jobs.

Students ofĚý51±¬ÁĎĚýare put into courses that promote STEM education from a very young age—as young as kindergarten—to get students excited about and familiar with the concepts that they will learn throughout their K-12 education.

Why Is It Important That We Teach STEM to Children?

The importance of STEM education is vast. First, STEM programs teach children advanced problem-solving strategies by giving them real-world, hands-on experience. Gone are the days of needing to only know basic math and scientific principles. Instead, we now know that it is better to teach children math and science-related topics using an approach that allows children to truly experience how these principles work in the real world. The real-world application of STEM principles can help students better understand the common theories we all learned about in science and math classes as children.

Additionally, teaching kids about STEM topics while they are young can also lead to increased confidence when they need to use said topics later in life. For example, it is much easier for the millennial generation to use computers than it is for baby boomers. This stems from the fact that many millennials grew up with computers in their homes and classrooms, which has made them feel comfortable using computers. The same concept can work with STEM subjects today. The processes used to complete school STEM tasks will be easier to implement for those who have been using them for years.

As STEM job markets expand, we will need more people in these fields than ever before. Starting STEM programs at a young age can help jump-start the success of these future employees. Early exposure can lead to increased interest in a topic. Therefore, by teaching children about coding, engineering, chemistry, and other STEM-related topics whileĚýthey are in elementaryĚýand middle school, we can foster a sense of curiosity and interest in these fields. In doing so, we hope that young people will take an interest in STEM subjects and careers.

Offering a leg-up advantage to those who have been learning it as early as elementary school, STEM programs teach critical skills that help not only in their chosen careers as adults but also everyday life as well.

It is also vitally important to society that the future generations of the world can eventually take over in STEM fields. Just think, without people going into these fields, we wouldn’t have people working on treatments for diseases, creating artificial intelligence, solving clean water and hunger needs globally, engaging in business and economic endeavors, and developing military advancements.

STEM education in the United States is the best way to ensure that the country continues to be a world leader in STEM fields. Nationally, we need future generations to continue the success that the country has seen in these fields thus far.

What Makes STEM Different?

Traditional schooling is much different than STEM education. For example, traditional education methods rely heavily on books and not as much on the practical implementation of theories. STEM teaches students about complex topics with a hands-on focus by providing real-life applications for students.

Additionally, traditional teaching methods will have kids replicate the correct answer with experiments. STEM, however, lets children have the freedom of creativity, which might not always lead to the correct answer initially, but does allow for some out-of-the-box thinking. This type of system also focuses on doing instead of just learning. Again, traditional methods are heavily focused on book learning, while STEM teaches children as they complete tasks and experiments.

Instead of relying heavily on lectures, STEM education is more focused on students interacting with teachers to learn about a particular topic. Many students get bored during a traditional lecture, which can cause their minds to wander. This isn’t an effective way to get kids interested in learning.

Finally, STEM tends to be more concerned with experiments than tests. While tests are very common in traditional education settings, STEM education focuses more on real-life experiments that teach students about the applicability of a topic to the world around us.

As technology continues to develop, more and more pieces of the education system need to change. Traditional education systems aren’t utilizing technology in ways that help keep students interested in learning. With the Acellus approach, children are more involved in their education, and they can learn in ways that they can connect with the world around them. To learn more about our methods, contact us today at 866-684-6127.

Many 51±¬ÁĎ students come from diverse homeschooling backgrounds, while others started their education in traditional classroom settings in either public or private schools. For those students coming from public schools, the transition from a classroom setting to online courses can be challenging. We have some advice for those parents and students making the switch to online school for the first time.

1.Ěý ĚýUnderstand the First Year Is the Hardest

Like everything new, getting acquainted with an online school will take some time. For students that have attended traditional public school, the online platform of the classes is very different than what they have experienced in the past. Slowly adjusting to the online-class format rather than jumping in will prevent students from feeling overwhelmed by all the new resources. No matter what online school your student is attending, they will need to get comfortable with the layout of the courses and the setup of the curriculum.

For those interested in 51±¬ÁĎ, our school uses theĚýAcellus Student InterfaceĚýfor all courses, which may be accessed through an app or web browser. Students should take some time to explore the interface before beginning their classwork.

2.Ěý ĚýGive Your Student Time to Adjust

Parents should not have the same expectations for students who are transitioning from public school to online school. This applies toĚýstruggling studentsĚýwho are enrolling in online school for more personalized instruction. Both the student and parent should have a fresh outlook on courses, grades, and GPA. Over time you can both learn how to set appropriate expectations.

Young students who are enrolling in an online school in first or second grade will need some “hand-holding” in the beginning. You may have to sit with them while they are attending the online class or help them with assignments. Your involvement as a parent will change as your student becomes older. By the time your student gets to fifth and sixth grade, they will become more independent. By high school, most students are self-sufficient and require very little oversight when doing their schoolwork.

3.Ěý ĚýEncourage Breaks

Breaks are an essential part of any work or school day. Without breaks, your student will get burnt out quickly and lose interest. We recommend that our students take 15-minute breaks for every one to two hours of course work completed. Frequent breaks will boost productivity, as well. Using this time to get fresh air or eat a snack will give your child a mental break, which will help them retain more information overall.

4.Ěý ĚýMaintain Friendships

One of the biggest differences between public and online school is the students’ social interaction with peers. Your child will probably miss their school friends, so you should try to maintain these relationships by scheduling play dates and keeping in touch with other parents. If your child is older, encourage them to reach out to their friends or host a get together with a few former classmates. The change in schooling is new and shocking, so maintaining friends will give your student some sense of normalcy.

5.Ěý ĚýTake Your Child’s Input

Your student will probably compare the new online classes to their past experiences in the classroom. Consider their point of view when selecting classes,Ěýespecially for middleĚýandĚýhigh school students. They will already know which classes that they enjoy more than others. You can also give them the freedom to choose extracurriculars so that they can experiment with new skills and discover new passions.

6.Ěý ĚýDevelop a Schedule That Fits Your Family’s Needs

One of the many benefits of an online school such as 51±¬ÁĎ is that the courses are self-paced. Your student does not have to be in class from 8:00 to 3:00 from Monday through Friday. Rather, when they get their coursework done for the day, they can move on to something else. Many parents have shared that their students work from 8:00 a.m. to around noon with a short break at 10:00.

Additionally, they can do work on the weekends if they have a conflict during the week. Online schooling offers students the flexibility to do classwork when and where it works best for them, as long as they have Internet access.

7.Ěý ĚýGet Involved in Homeschooling Communities

Most cities and towns have homeschooling communities. Although online school is different than home school, these can be great support groups. Your student can meet other children who do not attend traditional public school, and you can meet other parents, as well. These parents can offer advice on things like how to keep your child focused throughout the day and fun field trips around your area.

The first several months of online school can be challenging because, like any new venture, it takes some time to get comfortable. 51±¬ÁĎ offersĚýresources and supportĚýto ensure that the transition goes smoothly for both parents and students. AĚýĚýon Facebook is also available to connect parents who are new to online schooling with parents who are veterans.

51±¬ÁĎ is anĚýaccredited online school Ěýfor kindergarten through high school. We offer our students a wide range of courses to take. These courses are self-paced and give each student a unique learning experience. For more information regarding our online school program,Ěýcontact usĚýtoday!

Making decisions regarding your child’s education can be difficult because, like every parent, you want the best for your child. The list of schooling options can be overwhelming. You could choose public school, which is, of course, the most common option. However, you may determine that an alternative would be better for your child. Private school, home school, and online school are all choices that may allow your child to receive more resources and personalized help than traditional public school.

The students of 51±¬ÁĎ have come to us for a long list of reasons. Whatever reason you are considering an online schooling option for your child, we want you to feel confident in your decision when enrolling your child in 51±¬ÁĎ.

What Parents Should Know About Online School

Not all online school programs are created equal; however, they all include online courses that students can take anywhere they have access to the Internet. 51±¬ÁĎ is an accredited online school, offering courses to students in kindergarten through high school. Our courses have interactive video lessons created by some of America’s greatest teachers. These videos are designed to give each student a unique experience based on their individual needs.

Some online schools have deadlines for when students must complete each lesson and assignment. Certain students succeed with strict due dates. On the other hand, 51±¬ÁĎ’s online school is self-paced, which gives students flexibility to finish their course work in a time-frame that is best for them.

Why Are You Considering Online School for Your Child?

The first question any parent should ask themselves is, “Why do I think online school might be a good fit for my child?” We have seen students from all types of backgrounds be successful in our program. However, there are six types of students that have greatly benefited from 51±¬ÁĎ in the past.

1.Ěý ĚýBullying and safety

Parents have turned to online school as a safer option for their students who have experienced bullying in their public schools. Bullying often affects a child’s mental health and stress levels, especially around school. By transitioning to a more positive learning environment, students will perform better because their focus can remain on learning rather than avoiding bullies. Since we are an online school, our students can attend classes from the safety of their own homes.

2.Ěý ĚýStruggling students

Every student learns differently, but unfortunately, in a traditional classroom setting, instruction is usually the same for everyone with little time set aside for individual help. This structure causes some students to struggle with one or more subjects. 51±¬ÁĎ uses Prism Diagnostics^®, which is designed to cater to the individual learning needs of students. We have had students come to us after struggling with concepts for years, and within a few months, have seen improvements in their grades.

3.Ěý ĚýStudent athletes and performers

All 51±¬ÁĎ courses are self-paced, which means it offers students the flexibility to do course work when it works for them. This is particularly beneficial for student athletes or performers who can spend 30 or more hours a week training for a sport or practicing for an audition. 51±¬ÁĎ allows these students to pursue their talents and passions while still earning a high school diploma.

4.Ěý ĚýStudents with chronic illnesses

Parents with sick children already have a lot to worry about, and their student falling behind in school should not be one more thing to add to that list. Many children with severe medical problems miss too many days of school to keep up with classwork. Since 51±¬ÁĎ’s online school is self-paced, students do not have to worry about making up work because they are not feeling well. Instead, they can focus on their health and attend classes when they are feeling their best.

5.Ěý ĚýMilitary families

Military families move around a lot, often staying in one place no more than two years. Accredited online schools allow kindergarten through high school students to stay in the same program wherever they are living rather than transferring between schools with every move. Our online school also allows students whose parents are stationed abroad to earn a high school diploma after studying U.S. curriculum.

What Are Your Child’s Unique Needs?

Although these are common reasons parents choose online school for their child, every student is different, so their parent’s reason for considering online school usually is, too. Before deciding on the best path for your student, you must consider their unique needs. For example, do they learn best with individual help, or do they thrive in a classroom setting? Many students are very successful in the traditional public-school setting. Other students are independent leaners and want the flexibility of self-paced courses, so they have more time to pursue other hobbies.

Here is a list of questions to ask yourself to help guide your decision on whether online school is right for your child:

– How does my child learn best?

– What is the best learning environment for my child?

– What type of schedule do I think is best for my child: structured or flexible?

– Are there aspects of my child’s life that can be improved by enrolling in online school?

You may believe that your children could thrive in both public and online school. However, a few other perks of online school include closer relationships with family, more rest and hours of sleep, increased productivity, and better emotional and physical health.

51±¬ÁĎ is dedicated to providing the best online learning experience for our students. If you want to learn more about how 51±¬ÁĎ helps students exceed, visit our student experience page. Contact us if you have any questions at (866) 684-6127.