2. Anywhere, Anytime, Anyplace
Learn about the advantages of distance learning while living
abroad or in transition.
Come away from this workshop better prepared to consider
distance learning as a viable and respected educational
option.
Learn that there are distance-learning programs that have a
strong relationship component. Including: dedicated teachers
who guide students through the curriculum, an college
placement success comparable to the top American college
preparatory schools. 2

3. As parents, educators and counselors we
are concerned about educational options
for our children.
 Living abroad can present opportunities, and challenges in meeting our
educational goals.
 Relocation requires children to adapt to a new country,
home and school all at the same time.
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4. What are your options?
There are educational options other than
international schools, local schools, schools run
by the DODEA or homeschooling on your own:
 Virtual charter schools
 Private distance learning schools with accreditation
 Concurrent enrollment at a distance learning school to supplement
international or local school curriculum
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5. Take your school with you.
 Distance learning allows you to take your school with you
wherever you go.
 Maintaining consistency with a school can help smooth
your child’s transition.
 A good distance learning school will assure that students
meet standards from state and country of origin.
 Maintaining enrollment at one school means all of your child’s
transcripts, records and credits are in one place.
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6. Distance learning is the future of education.
 According to data released recently by research firm Ambient Insight, over
the next five years the number of students taking courses online will jump
to more than 10 million by 2014.
 The Home School Legal Defense Association, which represents some
80,000 member families, says the number
of students learning at home is between
1.7 and 2.1 million.
 24 US states offer state-led online programs.
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7.  Michigan passed a law requiring an online learning experience
requirement for high school graduation
 In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced an initiative that
would replace some high school science and math texts with free, “open
source” digital versions.
 “In five years, I think the majority of students will be using digital
textbooks,” said William M. Habermehl, superintendent of the 500,000-
student Orange County, California schools. “They
can be better than traditional textbooks.”
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8. What are the advantages of distance
learning while living abroad or in transition?
 From any location, students can prepare for placement in American
colleges and universities through an accredited college prep distance
learning program.
 Students can maintain enrollment through the
same school no matter how many times the
family relocates.
 Students can create meaningful relationships
with their teachers and peers through distance
learning. They’ll develop a support network
accessible from any country.
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9.  As families live, move, work, and learn
throughout the world, a consistent
educational community is an invaluable
resource.
 Distance learning uses technology as a
social and educational tool that fosters
community and deeper relationship.
 The goal is to avoid isolation as students
immerse themselves in 21st Century
technology. Technology opens the door for
TCKs to connect across any border.
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10. What is the difference between
homeschooling and distance learning?
 Homeschooling is generally when the parent teaches their children
without the support of an institution or organization. Parents research and
purchase curriculum that they feel suits their child’s needs. Parents teach,
grade, monitor and guide children through the learning process.
 Distance Learning is generally considered to be home-based through a
program or school. Distance learning schools can be accredited
institutions, private or public. Distance learning can be correspondence-
based with textbooks, completely online or a combination of both. Good
distance learning schools have teachers, staff, diplomas, transcripts,
multiple curriculum options, AP and Honors courses, foreign language
courses, etc.
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11. What about socialization?
 Many people have the misconception that students
studying at home are isolated with little or no
contact with the outside world.
This couldn’t be further from reality for most
families.
 Students studying at home have a full social
schedule
 Positive socialization does not always take place in
school.
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12.  Students studying in a distance learning program will have many
opportunities to learn and practice social skills as they will be
interacting with the real world on a regular basis.
 Global Families view the world as their classroom.
 Children are not age segregated and learn how to create
meaningful relationships with children and adults of all ages.
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13. What about education requirements?
 Each US state has its own education requirements
 Distance learning in an accredited private or public
school follows policies similar to a site-based private or
public schools
 Homeschooling requires parents to be responsible for
their child’s education
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14. What about transferring student credit
from a distance learning school?
 Student credits should be accepted at schools in
the US.
 Consistent school enrollment ensures that hard earned
credits are not lost in the translation.
 The best US private and public distance learning programs
are accredited by one of the six regional accreditation
bodies.
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15. How can a college prep education be
completed through distance learning?
 Students must be enrolled in an accredited distance
learning program that offers a college prep
academic track.
 Students should receive the assistance of a
credentialed School Counselor to ensure College
Applications are filled our correctly and in a timely
manner.
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16.  Students must fulfill the requirements of the colleges and
universities of their choice. Example of a College Prep Academic
Track.
 3 to 4 Years of Science
 4 Years of English with Lab
 3 Years of History  3 Years of Language
 3 to 4 Years of Math  1 Year Fine Arts
 1 Year PE
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17. How to maintain consistency
with schools, peers and a
school community?
Choose a school that involves students in
collaborative Learning Opportunities
 Clubs • Chat Room partitioned by grade
and age
 Forums
 Symposium • Opportunities to collaborate
(for parents and teachers) online with teachers and students
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18. Can students learn through a distance
learning program in elementary and middle
school?
 Distance Learning is now available to all ages
and grades.
 Younger students should have the opportunity
to choose between the following curriculum:
text, online, project-based.
 Some children need a customized curriculum based on academic needs,
goals, interests and talents.
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19. Will students succeed without interaction
and support of teachers?
 1:1 Teacher support must be available.
 Students should work with a teacher who
is assigned to them for the entire year.
 The teacher should communicate weekly
with their students via email, learning
management systems, phone and
collaborative learning tools.
 The student/teacher ratio should ensure the teacher has the time to
provide students with regular attention.
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20. Is my child a good candidate for distance
learning?
 Is my child a creative thinker?  Is my child moving to a new
country and needs time to
 Is my child inventive? assimilate to his new
environment?
 Is my child organized?
 Is my child an elite athlete
or actor?
 Does my child enjoy independent
learning?  Does my child have special
learning requirements?
 Is my child gifted?
 Does my child have a
health issue?
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21. About Laurel Springs
 Established as a premier college prep program
in 1991, Laurel Springs School (LSS) provides
a unique distance learning program for
grades Kindergarten through 12.
 Laurel Springs emphasizes standards-based
curriculum and individual one-to-one
teacher support for every student.
 Parent, advisors, teachers and students
collaborate to personalize each student’s
course of study based on their post secondary academic goals.
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22.  Every lesson is graded and students have daily access to their
teacher(s).
 They choose from among state-adopted texts and/or online
coursework aligned to CA standards. Flexible scheduling and one-
to-one feedback from teachers assist students in overcoming
challenges to achieve their academic goals.
 Laurel Springs School offers over 284 distance
learning courses, in the following mediums:
Text-based study (Honors, college prep),
Web-based (Honors, college prep, AP) Gifted
and Talented, Project-Based study (K-8).
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23.  LSS provides each student with an enrollment advisor,
college placement team, 1:1 teacher service, academic
advisor and five curriculum options.
 LSS Students score higher on SAT scores than State and
National Averages.
 Laurel Springs is accredited by Western Association of
Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the
National Honor Society (NHS).
 Courses are approved by the University of California and
NCAA.
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