At any one time about 5 percent of the students enrolled have disabilities. Washington State, as one of the first states to provide training aid for welfare recipients while they are working, enrolls up to 20,000 welfare and former welfare recipients each year. About 30 percent of online students only take online classes. These students are usually working full-time or have families. Overall there are fewer students of color and online students tend to be younger.
Males comprise a higher percentage of online students than they do for other classes.
In examining the issue of who can take online classes, colleges have particular concerns about reaching non-traditional students, particularly for students, without access to computer connections. Improving quality of instruction and support is also a concern with regards to increasing success for online students. A major shift that begins with changing how colleges view themselves is needed in order to meet students consumer demands for greater convenience, better responsiveness and higher quality. A 1998 preliminary Distance Learning Strategic and Operational Plan confirmed the need for stronger coordination. While the state and the colleges have progressed significantly with learning activities, Washington State faces many challenges to meet the needs of an increasing, evolving and changing population.