The Churchill County School District deserves high marks for keeping up with new technology in education.

The district is offering Internet classes this semester for the first time. It's one more way to help Churchill County students get an education outside of the traditional classroom. The only criteria for students who enroll in the program is they must have a computer at home or use one the district provides at selected schools.

For a host of reasons, not all high school students succeed in the traditional classroom, but every effort must be made to keep them in the system, either through online education or alternative schools. Once they drop out, it's hard to get them back as they move into adulthood and the "real world." Without at least a high school education or GED, the future is not promising for these young people. Their potential for a career and earning power are severely curtailed. Few doors in the workplace open for young people without any educational credentials, and there is no chance at vocational schools or college without a diploma or GED.

It's also important for the school district's budget to retain students by offering innovative educational opportunities. Whether they crack the books in the classroom or do their lessons online, the district receives money from the state based on the number of students enrolled. The cost of operating the cyberschool program is more than covered by what the district is reimbursed. For those attending regular high school, the state pays $5,500 per pupil. The district's online education company, Advanced Academics, charges $3,350 for a full-time student to take classes online. The difference of $2,150 stays in school district coffers. The district also saves money when it doesn't have to transport or provide space for online students.

A representative from Advanced Academics said the company will take care of marketing the online program and will seek to make contact with students who have dropped out or been expelled from traditional schools. The company offers 60 courses online for students in grades 7-12.

There will be other innovations to come in how education is delivered to students outside the traditional classroom. Public schools and society in general will benefit from these efforts to send young people out into the world with a diploma.