UC San Diego

Over the past few decades, online schools have witnessed exponential growth. Nevertheless, the body of research on their effectiveness and viability as educational options for students with disabilities, as well as their offerings for diverse learners, remains surprisingly sparse. This deficiency in evidence is noteworthy, especially as the demand for flexible education options continues to rise. In response to this gap, the present study conducts a literature review, which underscores the scarcity of empirical data detailing the specific attributes and benefits that online schools can provide. Despite the limited existing literature, our review identifies some distinctive factors, particularly related to the integration of the "5 Cs" learner control, flexible and rigorous curriculum, safe climate, caring community, and connection to students as individuals and their future goals. The focus of this study is to answer the following question: What are the unique experiences, perspectives, and challenges of SWD and their parents in an online charter school compared to their previous experiences in traditional brick-and-mortar public schools (TBMPS), encompassing aspects such as choice of online schooling, collaboration and communication, inclusivity, flexibility, parental involvement, and teacher support?This study is designed as a qualitative research endeavor, employing in-depth interviews with up to 25 families and their students with disabilities. The objective of this research is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of SWD within the online school environment. Furthermore, the study seeks to analyze these experiences through the framework of the "5C" design, shedding light on the key components of successful online education. By doing so, this research aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the potential of online schooling, particularly for SWD, and provide actionable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to improve and adapt online educational programs to better serve diverse learners. Ultimately, this investigation addresses the pressing need to explore the untapped potential of online schools, with an emphasis on fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment