Data show online growth of BUSD summer courses

Online school courses are becoming a key way for students to catch up on missed credits at their own pace during the summer, and a growing number of students are succeeding in completing them, according to the latest data from Burbank school officials.

In all, 678 students enrolled in online courses this summer, with 80 more students signing up this year compared to the year before.

The percentage of students successfully completing English, world history and U.S. history classes has also increased since 2012.

Students who take online classes are required to work in a classroom for 12 hours spread throughout a four-week period.

While in the classroom, they have access to a teacher who can help them with course work, but otherwise they work independently, said John Paramo, director of secondary education for Burbank Unified, during a school board meeting on Thursday.

Students are free to log onto a software program remotely to complete course work at a quicker pace. The program’s software is approved by the University of California system, so it’s not without rigor, Paramo added.

“This is solid curriculum,” he said after the meeting.

In a year-to-year comparison, 83% of students completed their English course this summer compared to 59% who did so in 2014. Unlike last year, students taking English classes this summer also had access to a teacher’s aide to assist them with course work, Paramo said.

Meanwhile, 85% of students finished world history this summer compared to the 57% who completed it last year. In addition, 92% of students who took U.S. history completed the course, while 89% finished it last year.

However, the percentage of students completing math dipped this year. About 53% of those enrolled passed the courses compared to the 60% in 2014.

“It’s something we’re still working on,” Paramo said.

School board member Larry Applebaum suggested surveying students who didn’t complete the courses to explain if, in some cases, it had to do with a lack of transportation to school or other conflicts.

Students also have access to traditional summer-school courses held on campuses during the summer and opportunities to take courses to get ahead, leaving their schedules open to enroll in elective classes during the school year .

After the meeting, Paramo said he’s pleased with the results, overall.

“I feel that our students have proven through concrete data that our programs are very successful,” he said.