Distance Learning High School: A Perspective by Dr. David Waldman

Abstract

In the interview, Dr. Waldman considers online high school to be a strategic option that expands access to upper secondary education, particularly in contexts with economic, geographic, or employment-related constraints. At the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, it is not conceived as a provisional alternative, but rather as a structural component of its digital education model, with standards that are equivalent to those of face-to-face education. He notes that distance education transforms pedagogical mediation without lowering academic standards, strengthens digital competencies, self-regulation, and autonomous learning, and reinforces the teacher’s role as facilitator and tutor. Looking ahead, he anticipates greater multimodal integration, robust competency-based assessment systems, and the use of learning analytics as key elements in reducing dropout rates. In his view, the emphasis lies not solely on technology, but on pedagogical quality, academic support, and the development of a digital ecosystem that ensures inclusion, relevance, and strong learning outcomes.