Online High School Problems: My Child Won't Stay On Task

Once you've jumped into online high school, you feel as though you're committed for at least the school year. In some cases, you've paid the fees. In others, you don't have the time to search out another opportunity in the middle of the school year. You also don't want your child to think that if they rebel hard enough, they will be able to have what they want. Unfortunately, within a couple of months of trying out online high school, you may discover that it isn't working as well as you thought it would. The most common complaint among parents? A child who can't (or won't) stay on task.

If you are struggling with convincing your child to complete the required work during the day, there are a number of things that you can do to improve the odds that they'll do what they're supposed to be doing, when they're supposed to be doing it. It isn't always easy. You're busy during the day, too, and you don't want to spend all of your time making sure that your child is working. In some cases, they might even be home alone, where you can't look over their shoulder all day. However, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your child's odds of success.

Designate a specific time that is work time.

Once you've designated work time, remind your child that they should not be texting, playing on the computer, or engaging in other activities. At the same time, you should also hold this time sacred. It's tempting for you to text your child to see how they're doing when you get a free moment at work, or to ask them to help you take care of chores, or to suggest that the two of you go out for lunch for a change. All of these things, while perfectly valid, constitute interruptions--and if your child is already having trouble staying on task, those interruptions can be enough to knock them out of their "groove" and make the entire day more difficult.

Check the system daily.

You might not be able to sit over your child's shoulder all day every day, but you can check each day to make sure that they've completed all the work that they're supposed to complete. Find the way to do this that works for your family. If your child is struggling to stay on task, however, make sure that you're checking in daily so that you will catch any lapses before your child falls too far behind. Institute consequences for days spent off-task--and make sure that you stick to them. If the rule is that your child can not attend an outing with friends if they don't complete their schoolwork, then don't give in, no matter how tempting it might be.

Communicate with your child's teachers.

The strongest advantage that online high schools have over traditional homeschooling is the presence of teachers who are able to help your child when they need it. Those teachers aren't just valuable for help with difficult academic concepts, however. They're also the people who are monitoring your child's grades and progress throughout the year. The more regularly you communicate with your child's teachers, the greater the likelihood that they'll let you know if your child starts to fall behind.

Be available to help.

As much as possible, you need to be available to help your child with their schoolwork. For many parents, staying at home while their teenager attends school online simply isn't a possibility. You might have to work, or there might be other demands on your time and attention. Online high school, however, isn't just a commitment that your child makes. It's a commitment that you've made to be available, to help your child succeed, and to provide the support they need to excel. That means being available to answer questions. When your child does have a question, try not to put them off until later--no matter how inconvenient it might be at the moment.

Online high school can offer your child a wide array of opportunities. It's a valuable educational opportunity that shouldn't be taken for granted--but unfortunately, the longer they do it, the longer the reasons for transferring to an online school slip away. Laziness sneaks in, and it can be difficult to get your child back on track. With dedication, however, you can get them on task again and watch their grades and progress improve dramatically.