Timing of Enrollment and Online Course Completion

• In Event: Supporting K–12 Teaching and Learning With Online Resources and Tools

Abstract

Prior to the pandemic, online course taking was widespread in both K-12 and postsecondary education. As a result of school closures, even more schools enrolled students in online courses. However, many questions remain about how to provide effective instruction virtually and the structures that facilitate student success in their online courses, including the influence of the enrollment process (e.g., which students enroll, who enrolls them, and when). This study utilizes data on over 8,000 students enrolled in online high school courses to examine whether the timing of enrollment in online courses relates to students’ subsequent course outcomes. The results suggest that students who enrolled on-time were more likely to complete their courses than students who enrolled late.

Authors

• Jacqueline Zweig, Education Development Center, Inc.

• Erin Stafford, Education Development Center, Inc.