Group 1 - The core phenomenon observed in the international education sector is a significant shift in consumer behavior, with families moving from high-budget private schooling in the U.S. to more affordable online education options, reflecting a broader trend of consumption downgrade [1][3] - Parents who previously inquired about budgets of 500,000 RMB (approximately 75,000 USD) for private high schools are now seeking online programs costing between 10,000 to 30,000 RMB (approximately 1,500 to 4,500 USD) per year [1][3] - The drastic change in spending reflects a 6-7 times reduction in educational expenditure, indicating a severe economic strain on middle-class families [3][5] Group 2 - The shift in demand is also evident in the content produced by educational influencers, who have transitioned from promoting high-end international schools to advocating for low-cost study abroad options and online high school programs [3][5] - The affordability of online American high schools has increased due to the closure of many traditional institutions, leading to a competitive pricing structure where online tuition can be as low as 1/10th of in-person schooling [5][7] - The legitimacy of online programs is bolstered by accreditation from recognized bodies such as Cognia and WASC, ensuring that diplomas from these institutions hold the same value as traditional ones [5][7] Group 3 - Despite the appeal of lower-cost education options, there are significant risks associated with choosing online programs, including the necessity of verifying accreditation, the quality of teaching staff, and the level of student support services [7][9] - Parents are advised to conduct thorough research on the accreditation status of online schools to avoid investing in programs that may not be recognized by universities [7][9] - The current trend of educational consumption downgrade may prompt families to reassess the true value of education, questioning the necessity of high tuition fees for traditional schooling environments [9][10]