Over the past decade, as states and localities began feel the effects of rising gas prices and a crumbling economy, more districts have begun to regard online education as a way to save money. Nearly every state has some form of virtual high school program. Online education is a favorable alternative to firing personnel or cutting programs, but district leaders should proceed cautiously. Online learning may be cheaper than traditional schooling, but it isn't necessarily equivalent to face-to-face instruction, nor is it an appropriate substitute in every case for classroom instruction for adolescents.