BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A new law passed during the last legislative session will affect future generations of high school students. It makes enrolling and passing an online class mandatory.

State Representative Betty Reed confirmed that the law goes into effect next month and will affect incoming 9th grade students. It requires all students to enroll in and pass at least one class online in the Virtual School Program.

“We were against this law because we know that every family does not have a computer. We fought against it because we felt it is not in the best interest of all children, period.

“We also realize that those who don’t have a computer won’t have the knowledge and can’t help the children to navigate the computer. But, those in favor of the law feels the children can go to the library,” Rep. Reed said.

Steve Hagerty, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Public School District said the law goes into effect next month and applies to all incoming 9th grade students.

“If you are a high school student, you must take at least one online learning class. The class must also be a requirement for graduation and cannot be an elective,” he said.

Hagerty stated that students can use the library or Media Center at their respective schools and have 4 years to take the course. [private]

“They don’t have to sit at the computer for 50 minutes like they would in a regular class. This is just a way of forcing kids to learn technology. We anticipate more kids will be taking more than just one class online.”

He further said that students can take the classes online with the Florida Virtual Program, or the Hillsborough Virtual Program, operated by the Hillsborough County Public School District. [/private]