OKLAHOMA CITY -- Online learning has become more popular with middle and high schools in recent years. However, students using online classrooms have had one big disadvantage. They couldn't participate in extracurricular activities. Previously a student had to be in a traditional classroom at least 6 hours per day in order to play sports or get involved in other activities, but that may no longer be the case.
A new state law is expanding the possibilities for online students.
Sam Pool attends Advanced Academics, an online school.
He's getting ready to start his senior year, but he won't be walking into any classrooms; instead he'll simply log on.
Sam, who is mildly autistic, has been going to school online for 3 years and is thriving.
Pool says, "I get to learn at my own pace which is wonderful."
Rather than go to a traditional brick-and-mortar school, Sam communicates with teachers through a virtual classroom.
Like any senior, he'll graduate in the spring, though there's one thing he hasn't been able to do, play basketball.
A new state law is changing that.
Pool says, "Online school is great, but there is little interaction with other kids, so sports is a definite plus."
Senate Bill 2319 was signed into law during the last session.
Part of the bill allows for online students to play sports or take part in other activities in their school district.
Jeff Elliott, President and CEO of Advanced Academics, says, "This is great. It just removes one more barrier for a student that might be better served for their success through an online program."
Not only will it help Sam, but it will also mean students who are in a traditional classroom can now take online classes without losing their eligibility in activities in which they are already involved.
Elliott says, "If they're struggling, this gives them the opportunity to catch up, graduate on time and fulfill their goals."
The OSSAA says they will have to make changes to some of their current rules.
They are scheduled to discuss the changes at a meeting next Tuesday morning.
The State Board of Education is also working on rules regarding this new bill.
Both groups need to have the rules figured out by November when the law goes into effect.
A new state law is expanding the possibilities for online students.
Sam Pool attends Advanced Academics, an online school.
He's getting ready to start his senior year, but he won't be walking into any classrooms; instead he'll simply log on.
Sam, who is mildly autistic, has been going to school online for 3 years and is thriving.
Pool says, "I get to learn at my own pace which is wonderful."
Rather than go to a traditional brick-and-mortar school, Sam communicates with teachers through a virtual classroom.
Like any senior, he'll graduate in the spring, though there's one thing he hasn't been able to do, play basketball.
A new state law is changing that.
Pool says, "Online school is great, but there is little interaction with other kids, so sports is a definite plus."
Senate Bill 2319 was signed into law during the last session.
Part of the bill allows for online students to play sports or take part in other activities in their school district.
Jeff Elliott, President and CEO of Advanced Academics, says, "This is great. It just removes one more barrier for a student that might be better served for their success through an online program."
Not only will it help Sam, but it will also mean students who are in a traditional classroom can now take online classes without losing their eligibility in activities in which they are already involved.
Elliott says, "If they're struggling, this gives them the opportunity to catch up, graduate on time and fulfill their goals."
The OSSAA says they will have to make changes to some of their current rules.
They are scheduled to discuss the changes at a meeting next Tuesday morning.
The State Board of Education is also working on rules regarding this new bill.
Both groups need to have the rules figured out by November when the law goes into effect.
