The availability of online education for students in high school is growing rapidly. With increasing expectations of skilled employees in the workplace, technological gains worldwide, and mandated testing in the public school system, it is imperative that education be able to provide students with the opportunities needed to become contributing members of society. Inasmuch, the provision of skills and knowledge necessary to function in the world beyond high school depends on qualified teachers. As online education grows, so does the need for teachers to serve students through the online mode. The intense growth brings a need for knowledgeable online teachers, so having a better understanding of the type of person best suited to online teaching can benefit the teacher, the school and the student. Online teaching and learning at the secondary level is a new educational concept, and growing rapidly. Schools must prepare students for life after high school, and to do that, alternative forms of learning must be available.
