As the population in the United States has shifted from rural to urban centers, the resultant shift in resources has created a disparity between the opportunities afforded K - 12 students living in rural areas. There just isn't as much money for K - 12 school programs in rural areas as there is in urban centers.
Many people are familiar with the Internet.
The Internet is a fine method of disseminating information. The greatest problem with the Internet is that the person interested in getting the information has to be self motivated. High school students don't tend to be self motivated. Most television cable systems offer educational programming, often offering college classes. This method of offering distance learning has many advantages, until one looks at the rural community.