Maryland State Wire

As schools across the nation closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of students with special needs were placed in a difficult position. Online academies, however, say they have been rising to the occasion with robust programs for all needs. 

The Washington Post reported that academic performance has plummeted due to school closures. The sudden transition to online formats has hurt those with special needs, English as a second language students and other students in non-traditional situations. 

Parents of students enrolled in Acellus Academy, an online school, say it has been a lifesaver for families of special needs students, such as Jacquece Moore, who is mother of Jasmine, a student with autism. 

Jasmine Moore | Provided

Diagnosed at a young age, Jasmine has struggled with speech as well as physical milestones, such as walking. 

“I made sure she received early intervention of speech and occupational therapy,” Jacquece Moore said in an online review. “By kindergarten she was saying some words but had challenges with expression. I remember sitting at her IEP meetings, explaining to the principal and teachers what she was doing at home and asking about the progress at school.”

In second grade, Moore enrolled Jasmine in Acellus Academy and found that it provided the support that the family needed, such as a one-to-one sessions made her feel connected with her teachers, even though they are not face-to-face. 

The fact that the lessons are self-paced is also a massive asset for Jasmine, who can occasionally feel overwhelmed.

“This school's format makes it easy to slow down the pace if need be and do more hands-on or speed up the pace when a lesson is comfortable for her," Moore said. "Jasmine's negative behavior and frustration with schooling has decreased 95%, speech increased over 80%, and confidence and willingness to learn has increased significantly.”