How Effective are Online College/HS Courses?

Factual Questions
1

I just finished reading an ariticle (Boston Globe) about a dramatic increase in the number of people taking on-line college courses rather than going the 4-year residential route.

Is there any data on the quality of an education one gets from these? The article said only 5 to 10 percent of people actually complete the courses. Of those who do - have they been educated as well as someone who went the bricks’n’mortar route?

I know someone who says they just completed their senior year of on-line high school in about 2 months, so my suspicions are raised.

(I’m thinking of Ralph Wiggins - “Me failed Engish? That’s unpossible!”)

2

High school is basically a holding tank for teenagers, I could see doing senior year in two months. Doubt that would help you get into college though.

3

Unfortunately, the person in question is applying to a (bricks’n’mortar) college - just one. I’m a little concerned the college won’t accept the on-line degree (or whatever they issue)