In today's society, many people believe it is time for school reform. The problem is employers are concerned that high school graduates do not have the necessary skills to be successful at a job when they graduate. Some researchers say that these reform efforts need to focus on the root causes of school problems (International). According to a California study by Paplin and Weeres in 1992, students and teachers saw little meaning in what they were asked to study. Students also wanted more activities and more opportunities to share ideas with classmates. This is not to say the basic skills are not important, but schools are not venturing much beyond the basic skills in providing a school-to-work transition. Before graduates can begin working they need to master foundation skills and competences. The three foundation skills are basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities. The competencies describe what people actually do a

There are many ways technology can be used in education. One that is gaining interest is the electronic school or virtual schooling. Many students are going to cyberspace for their education. These schools allow a world where there is flexibility, focus, and success. More than fifty charter and public school online programs are running in at least thirty states, and this demand is growing. Student's turn to virtual schooling for many reasons. However, they all want or need something that is not offered or available in the traditional school. For example, students in rural communities can take classes such as Latin or AP calculus that their schools are too small or too poor to offer. Sick or hospitalized students can finish their class work without falling behind. Even gifted students, students who have problems in the regular classroom, and students traveling with their parents can use this alternative method of education. Since the accessibility of the Internet, online learning has made leaps and bounds into the educational landscape.

Virtual schooling is not for all children. Most online educators agree that students must possess motivation and self-discipline, and they must be able to read and write proficiently. Those students with a strong need for socialization should never take more than one or two online courses. Even the most motivated and self-disciplined students need a parent watching over them. Online schools often allow parents to log in and see their children's grades, homework assignments, and attendance. It requires diligence on the part of the parents (Online).

The use of technology will have a profound effect on school. It challenges the relationship between students and teachers, because technology enables learners to gain control of their own learning. The new technology provides access to information that was once under the control of teachers.

The online pioneers of online schools are The Virtual High School and the Florida Online High School in Orlando, Florida. Both were founded in 1996 and serve as models for other online education ventures. The Florida school was first created as a pilot project but is not paid for by the state. It offered 64 courses this fall and has about 2,500 students. The

Some common words found in the essay are:
Instruction Software, Paplin Weeres, Kansas Choice, International Technology, , School Boards, Orlando Florida, Virtual School, online schools, control own, virtual schooling, students teachers, basic skills, own learning, control own learning, According California, gain control own, software program, thinking skills, package components, foundation skills, Charter School,
Approximate Word count = 1532
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)