Accredited Online Schools
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Online High School Accreditation
Online high school accreditation is based on the type of online high school curriculum, standards, program and policies offered by individual online high schools. When online high schools meet the appropriate accreditation criteria, the school can then be accredited.
Why is it important to attend an accredited online high school
Online high school accreditation is designed to protect the public: students, schools, and employers. Accreditation ensures online high schools are educating students while meeting the highest quality educational standards.
Students who receive diplomas from a fully accredited online high school can be assured their classes are transferable to colleges and universities and accepted by employers. Attending an online high school will also guarantee that colleges accept online high school diplomas. Employers looking to hire graduates from a fully State Accredited online high school can be confident graduates received a qualify education at a minimum accreditation standard and not from an online “diploma mill.”
Are non-accredited schools considered fake online high schools?
Not Necessarily! Some schools may not be accredited because they either just begun (most accreditation agencies won't even consider a school until it's been in operation for one half to 2 years) or because the school simply does not desire to be accredited from the available agencies. Unfortunately, however, there are some institutions that can be considered fake online high schools. They are often referred to as "diploma mills" or "joke diplomas." The following criteria is suggested in determining the validity of an online high school:
1. Is the school accredited? (if not, why)? Remember a school that has just begun and is in the accreditation process should be considered valid, many agencies backdate accreditation up to a year)
2. Beware any "GED like" tests!
If you can take a single or series of online exam(s) to receive your diploma, you are most likely participating in a "diploma mill" and will end up with a "joke diploma."There are two truly valid approachs:
- a diploma that you earn by passing all of the appropriate classes, or
- an actual GED test hosted in person, not available online.
Who grants online high schools the status "Accredited"
Accreditation differs according to the type of online high school program. Some online high schools do not conform to State Accreditation Standards from state educational agencies and offer low-quality diplomas. These types of diplomas are not considered valid by employers, colleges and universities and are considered a waste of time.
Legitimate online high schools are recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If online high schools offer accredited programs that are not backed by these official agencies they are not valid.
Valid legitimate online high schools are accredited by regional accreditation agencies affiliated with USDE and CHEA. If the accrediation agency is not affiliated with or recognized by USDE or CHEA the online high school accreditation is not valid. The same agencies that accredit reputable brick-and-mortar schools are the agencies that set the proper accreditation standards for online high schools.
Many online schools are also accredited by the Distance Education Training Council (DETC). The DETC is recognized by the USDE and CHEA. The DETC is also recognized by some employers. However, the DETC is not as widely accepted as a regional accreditation. Some regionally accredited schools do not accept class transfer credits from DETC accredited schools. Protect your online high school education by using USDE and CHEA affiliated accreditation standards.
How to ensure an online high school is accredited
Avoiding “diploma mills” who offer non-accredited online high school diplomas is important. Frequently, these online high schools are either unaccredited or accredited by accreditation mills. As diplomas produced by diploma mills are not accepted by college or universities, they are not valid. Depending on your state, laws restricting the use of degrees from diploma mills exist.
Not all non-accredited schools are considered diploma mills. Some unaccredited online high schools may be going through an accreditation process or simply not choose to be accredited. A non-accredited degree from one of either type of online high schools does not benefit students seeking an accredited high school diploma.
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