KYTX Tyler - TX
Imagine your child going to school without ever leaving home. iQ Academy Texas is a virtual, tuition free school that offers a public school education online. CBS 19's Amanda Kost breaks down the high-tech approach to teaching.
It's the classroom of the future, that's enrolling today. iQ Academy Texas elementary, middle and high school students go to public school online. Learning coach, Christian Maiden, says they provide the laptop, teachers and curriculum. "All of their course work is online. Their textbooks are online. Their teachers will talk to them online. It's live sessions so they can hear a voice but they're completing work and in class. So the parent really doesn't have to do anything but monitor the student," explained Maiden.
Just like home school, the learning can happen anywhere., but iQ Academy parents don't teach or grade papers. "It doesn't really interfere with the parents lives at all, but the child is still in public school so you know they're getting a quality education that's rated by the State," said Maiden.
99 percent of iQ Academy students passed last year, and Maiden says the virtual academy's TAKS testing results were rated exemplary.
But the idea of skipping the school setting for an education doesn't sit well with Tyler high school senior Jacob Priddy. "Maybe because I'm not used to it, but I'd say no. That's not something I'd be interested in doing. I mean, it does sound great, and maybe back when I was younger I would like to do that because I don't have to go to school, I can do it all from the computer. But looking back, I think what it helped build me, and my character and my knowledge I think I'd definitely do it just how I have," concluded Priddy.
Only time will tell if laptop learning is a virtual success.
iQ academy is enrolling third through ninth grade students and will expand each following school year to include 10th through 12th grades.
The school provides each student with laptop and needed software. If a family proves financial need the academy helps pay for internet service.
For more information: 1-888-644-4789
