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Abstract
The purpose of this article is to examine ways in which the
COVID-19 pandemic impacted the adoption and perception
of virtual programs in Indiana public school districts. This
mixed-methods sequential explanatory study focuses on beliefs held by Indiana public school superintendents and virtual program administrators regarding the growth of virtual
education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects received
surveys regarding their views surrounding virtual education.
Subjects who volunteered participated in semi-structured interviews conducted in web-based meetings. This study provides a snapshot of the state of virtual education in Indiana,
including the perceptions held by school administrators at
the end of the 2020-21 school year. COVID-19 significantly affected virtual education in Indiana. Participants cited a
need to provide educational options during a pandemic as
the primary reason for implementing a virtual program. Additionally, participants noted significant challenges of virtual
education while acknowledging an overwhelming need to
maintain district enrollment during the pandemic through the
utilization of a virtual program. This study identifies factors
that will impact school districts should enrollment in virtual
education programs remain strong. This provides an opportunity for districts to address these areas and ensure effective
virtual education programming.