Kuschinsky: Personalized online education fosters academic success

Originally published in the Detroit News – January 26, 2025

The pandemic didn’t create Michigan’s education gaps, but it made them impossible to ignore. Our students rank in the 42nd percentile in math — a troubling statistic that reflects both pre-existing challenges and the disruption of recent years.

The question is urgent: how do we help students recover lost ground and ensure they graduate ready for what comes next?

For many students, the usual approach to education doesn’t always meet their needs. For instance, students with learning barriers such as dyslexia, ADHD or limited English proficiency may struggle to keep up in traditional classrooms. Health issues like chronic illness or sensory impairments can further hinder their ability to participate fully in school. Additionally, external challenges like balancing part-time jobs, caring for family members or dealing with unstable home environments add to the demands of life outside the classroom. As a result, a growing number of young people are turning to alternative school models that adapt to their needs rather than asking them to conform.

Virtual education, in particular, has emerged as a powerful tool — not only to close achievement gaps but to meet students where they are.

At its best, education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every student learns differently, and virtual platforms are uniquely positioned to embrace that reality. With academic tools that let students move at their own pace, get one-on-one support and focus on their specific challenges, virtual learning removes barriers and creates pathways that traditional classrooms often cannot.

This individualized approach can make a tangible difference for students who may have struggled to stay engaged in traditional academic settings. A student who falls behind in algebra can revisit concepts at their own pace without holding up the rest of the class — or feeling like they’ve been left behind. This adaptability helps students rebuild skills, as well as their confidence.

Additionally, for students who are working to catch up on credits, every semester counts. Missing a required course can lead to challenges such as delayed graduation, loss of motivation or even the risk of dropping out. Credit recovery programs — designed to help students retake and succeed in previously failed classes — play an essential role in supporting their path to graduation.

Virtual credit recovery offers a unique advantage. Teachers can prioritize the key skills students need to graduate and to find success in the future, whether that’s essay writing, resume building, or practical math applications. For students juggling jobs or family responsibilities, this approach offers a manageable way to get back or stay on track.

Michigan students are as diverse as the challenges they face. Some are balancing part-time jobs or caring for younger siblings. Others are dealing with health issues that make daily in-person attendance difficult. Virtual education offers an adaptive solution for those who can’t be in a classroom during a set time every day.

For students with disabilities, virtual platforms offer accessibility features like closed captioning, individualized schedules and tools for differentiated instruction. For student-athletes or performers, the ability to log in and learn from anywhere means they don’t have to choose between their passions and their education.

The benefits of virtual education extend beyond academic recovery. Students gain valuable skills in self-direction, time management and technology use — competencies that are increasingly essential in today’s workforce. As Michigan looks to the future, it’s clear that personalized, tech-enabled learning is a critical part of preparing students for a world that’s changing faster than ever before.

But to realize this potential, virtual education must not be seen as a fallback, but a forward-thinking and proactive solution. Families, educators and policymakers all have a role to play in ensuring every student — regardless of their circumstances — has access to the tools and support they need to succeed.

Virtual education is not the answer for every student, but for many, it’s the difference between falling through the cracks and rising to their full potential. Michigan’s students are counting on us to meet them where they are, not where we expect them to be. Let’s give them the chance to thrive. 

Adam Kuschinsky is an English teacher at Insight Virtual Academy of Michigan.