CROSS PLAINS, Wis., Jan. 16, 2008

Virtual Schools Could Get Logged Off

Online Education Has Sparked Debate On The Dollars And Sense Of Alternative Learning

  • Marcy Thompson, 12, works on a math lesson in her bedroom at her home in Cross Plains, Wis., Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. Thompson is one of 800 students in the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, a charter school based in Milwaukee. Virtual schools are at the center of a debate over public funding of such schools. Photo

    Marcy Thompson, 12, works on a math lesson in her bedroom at her home in Cross Plains, Wis., Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. Thompson is one of 800 students in the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, a charter school based in Milwaukee. Virtual schools are at the center of a debate over public funding of such schools.  (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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(AP)  Seventh grader Marcy Thompson is caught in the middle of a national policy debate that could close her school and help determine the future of online education.

Thompson is one of a growing number of students nationwide trading home schooling and public schools for virtual ones where licensed teachers oversee her progress from afar.

She is enrolled in the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, a charter school based north of Milwaukee, but spends her days 130 miles away at home studying everything from literature to algebra under her mother's guidance and a curriculum provided by the school district.

Supporters say virtual schools are an innovative educational option that works better for some students and is a godsend for parents who prefer their children learn from home.

But critics, including the nation's largest teacher's union, say the so-called cyber charter schools amount to little more than home schooling at taxpayers' expense. They complain they take away money from traditional public schools and profit companies who sell curricula to districts.

Wisconsin is at the center of the debate after an appeals court in December ordered the state to stop funding the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, the state's largest virtual school with 800 students.

The ruling was the first of its kind in the nation and has triggered a debate among lawmakers over how the schools should be funded and regulated. The schools' supporters are preparing to fight one plan they say would cripple them in Wisconsin.

Observers say the outcome could help shape other states' laws, either restricting or encouraging the schools' growth.

"People are paying attention because online learning is really a growing phenomenon," said Susan Patrick, president of the North American Council for Online Learning, a trade association for online learning. "And for us to arbitrarily shut down online learning for students is a really dangerous precedent to set."

Virtual schools operate in 18 states from Colorado to Pennsylvania and enroll more than 90,000 students, according to the Virginia-based council.

They generally require parents to lead daily lessons provided by the school districts that run them. Licensed teachers monitor students' progress through e-mails, online classes and tutoring.

But students have textbooks and do not spend their whole day in front of a computer. Thompson does homework, logs online for interactive classes about once a week and is a member of a math club that meets in person.

Still, Barbara Stein of the National Education Association, the teacher's union, objected to the use of tax dollars to support what she called a new form of home schooling.

"The issue is whether a program where you don't have licensed educators and where you don't have students working directly with other students should be getting fully funded as though it were a quality educational experience," she said.

Siding with a Wisconsin teacher's union, the appeals court ruled the school was violating Wisconsin's open enrollment, charter school and teacher licensing laws.

The court found parents were the primary educators - a violation of a state law requiring public school teachers to be licensed. And districts who operate schools cannot receive taxpayer money for students who do not attend school within their boundaries under current law, the court said.

Its logic could be applied to schools that enroll 3,000 students statewide, potentially shutting them down. Thompson's school, which would be the first to close, will at least finish this school year while the ruling is appealed.

Thompson, 12, cried when she heard about the ruling. Now she is writing lawmakers to urge them to keep her school open in an essay called: "Why I Love My School." She was home schooled through second grade but has attended the Wisconsin Virtual Academy since it opened five years ago.

Continued



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Add a Comment See all 26 Comments
by spadeisspade January 16, 2008 4:00 PM PST
Why shouldn''t tax dollars go to fund home schooling? After all, these parents are paying taxes that are used for public schools that their children are not using. Why is the American public so hellbent on forcing parents to put their children into substandard public schools if there are alternative options that are so much better for their children?
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by vet999999 January 16, 2008 4:34 PM PST
spadeisspade - you are correct, but I will go one better. Why do we continue to spend billions of dollars for an educational system that does not work, no one support, no one believes in. If you were asked to pay for a car that the manufacturer delivered to you not running, would you pay for that?
Amazing.
Reply to this comment
by denn034 January 16, 2008 6:21 PM PST
The liberal school system and the NEA don''t like the competition but, what are conservatives that don''t want their children liberally indoctrinated going to do without virtual online education. Those virtual online schools are just free enterprise in action. In the end, virtual online education gives kids that don''t attend public schools an educatiion they wouldn''t get otherwise. Leave those schools alone!
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by sjw1253 January 16, 2008 6:54 PM PST
I do not know if there is a perfect answer. My daughter has decided to home school my grandson and I can truly see the benefits. I wish that more children could get the great quality and enormous educational benefits from home schooling.

The problem is that the children that will lose are those who do not have parents capable of educating their own children. My thoughts are that if the parents so concerned for their children''s best education were to keep their children in public schools and become more involved - the public school systems would have a better chance of working.

I really resent when funds are taken from the public schools as there clearly needs to be better answers for the children who need it the most. Think about it - the better education the inner city children and kids from uneducated parents can get - the less likely they are to feel not worthy of good jobs and the less likely they are to turn to drug dealing and other criminal careers.

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by paris1969 January 16, 2008 7:15 PM PST
If parents choose to take their children out of the public education system, then I think they should be willing to pay for their education. Why should taxpayers fund these people who refuse to participate in the public school system? To me it looks like another way for people to get public funds ... what is this ... welfare for the privileged?
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by fizzal-2009 January 16, 2008 7:49 PM PST
For public schools private little business to help you save money for yourselves we can now send a picture around the world and have a doctor in China tell you what to do.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 January 16, 2008 10:15 PM PST
Homeschooling at taxpayers expense? That doesn''t even make sense since most school districts lose federal money when people choose to homeschool. They make a huge profit off these programs which cost very little but require the same fed funding per pupil.
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by lochlan-2009 January 16, 2008 11:09 PM PST
"But critics, including the nation''s largest teacher''s union, say the so-called cyber charter schools amount to little more than home schooling at taxpayers'' expense. They complain they take away money from traditional public schools and profit companies who sell curricula to districts."

GREED, PLAIN GREED!!!!

To these people it''s much more important than a parents choice in how their children get educated. To these people it has nothing to do with the families and their ability to raise their children the best they can. To them it''s all about MONEY, at the expense of other people''s children.
Reply to this comment
by brianbwb-2009 January 16, 2008 11:17 PM PST
Yo Teachers, if, as you claim, education is the primary priority, then does it not stand to reason that how it is done is not important, so long as it is done, and the student can pass the required exams?

Yo Unions, have you not, as is your stated purpose, seen to it that teachers get reasonable recompense for their work, regardless of the number of students physically present?

Yo school boards, if your budget depends on the number of students present at the "fourth Friday count", does your position not make you look as if you are simply trying to pad the numbers, thereby getting more funding that you can corrupt?

Yo feds, since all the evidence shows Bush''s NCLB to be an utter failure, and just more "trickle down" BS, don''t you think that the concept of education should be modernized to include the modern forms of information acquisition?
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by jwohlenberg January 17, 2008 1:19 AM PST
As the parent of a child enrolled in a virtual school, I can tell you it was not my first choice. I saw the holes in her school education, and I tried to help in every way I could at the school level, but in the end, it was in my daughter''s best interest to school her at home, and I love that there is a way to keep her involved in the public school system and still keep her at home. It''s not about a "free ride," to me, it''s knowing that she''s not completely off the grid, that we are following state laws and that her education is meeting state standards, while at the same time, she has the freedom to be challenged at her level, not the level the school tells me she has to be. The entire educational system needs overhaul, and I see the virtual system as one option - I certainly don''t understand why a state would want to rip apart something that is absolutely working. They don''t mention test scores, and I can imagine they are far better than those of the mainstream system. Isn''t that how the rewards work? Higher scores means more funding? Then how come the same rules don''t apply here?
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by rf35 January 17, 2008 10:33 AM PST
I think this is a great compromise between home schooling and public school. The social interaction that kids get from traditional school is missing, but overall, the pros seem to outweigh the cons in this system. The student gets time with a licensed teacher, but is not locked into the traditional school schedule. The old-style schools don''t always work for people in this modern world and this is a step beyond home school. People can also save time and money at the doctor''s office by not exposing their children to those public germ clearinghouses. I''m surprised other Dems are fighting this...think of the carbon savings from not driving your kid to school every day!
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by wivaparent January 17, 2008 10:43 AM PST
As a Virtual School parent here in WI I choose this path for my 5 year old son because I wanted his education to accounted for unlike traditional home-schoolers here in WI where all they have to do is sign a paper saying they are home-schooling and that is it. No checks, no accountability. I want to be held accountable for my son. That is what parents are for. I know that this option is not for everyone and that it takes a lot of time to implement and two income families may not be able to do it without many sacrifices but that is their choice. I would like to keep my choice in how my son gets an education. I am a certified teacher without a job because of budget cuts and have been a substitute for many years but am unhappy with our local district education policies and practices. I did not want to traditional home-school as I wanted accountability. So if that is wrong so be it, it is my choice as a parent. If our school closes I will be forced to home-school and not be held accountable for taking state tests, etc. I am not saying I have anything against home-schooling as there are many parents that take it seriously and do a great job, look at most of the national spelling bee winners. Most are home-schooled. It just was not what I wanted when we decided to virtual school. Every student deserves a great school. WIVA
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by wivaparent January 17, 2008 10:44 AM PST
As a Virtual School parent here in WI I choose this path for my 5 year old son because I wanted his education to accounted for unlike traditional home-schoolers here in WI where all they have to do is sign a paper saying they are home-schooling and that is it. No checks, no accountability. I want to be held accountable for my son. That is what parents are for. I know that this option is not for everyone and that it takes a lot of time to implement and two income families may not be able to do it without many sacrifices but that is their choice. I would like to keep my choice in how my son gets an education. I am a certified teacher without a job because of budget cuts and have been a substitute for many years but am unhappy with our local district education policies and practices. I did not want to traditional home-school as I wanted accountability. So if that is wrong so be it, it is my choice as a parent. If our school closes I will be forced to home-school and not be held accountable for taking state tests, etc. I am not saying I have anything against home-schooling as there are many parents that take it seriously and do a great job, look at most of the national spelling bee winners. Most are home-schooled. It just was not what I wanted when we decided to virtual school. Every student deserves a great school. WIVA
Reply to this comment
by wivaparent January 17, 2008 10:45 AM PST
As a Virtual School parent here in WI I choose this path for my 5 year old son because I wanted his education to accounted for unlike traditional home-schoolers here in WI where all they have to do is sign a paper saying they are home-schooling and that is it. No checks, no accountability. I want to be held accountable for my son. That is what parents are for. I know that this option is not for everyone and that it takes a lot of time to implement and two income families may not be able to do it without many sacrifices but that is their choice. I would like to keep my choice in how my son gets an education. I am a certified teacher without a job because of budget cuts and have been a substitute for many years but am unhappy with our local district education policies and practices. I did not want to traditional home-school as I wanted accountability. So if that is wrong so be it, it is my choice as a parent. If our school closes I will be forced to home-school and not be held accountable for taking state tests, etc. I am not saying I have anything against home-schooling as there are many parents that take it seriously and do a great job, look at most of the national spelling bee winners. Most are home-schooled. It just was not what I wanted when we decided to virtual school. Every student deserves a great school. WIVA
Reply to this comment
by kare-a January 17, 2008 11:01 AM PST
I have been looking for an alternitive to traditional schooling for my child. He has been bullied both emotionaly and physically in the Oconomowoc Public schools since he was in 3rd grade. He is now in 7th and I have been told in the past by the principle herself that they cannot protect my son. This debate sounds more like it is all about someone''s paycheck, and not about what is best for the children. I am looking into this type of education for my son at this time, and I prey that greed and ego of some do not take away this possibility for my son to possibly obtain an education with out the horrific emotional and physical abuse he endures now. How can a child be productive when they are scared for their lives? They cant.
The public schools are too large, and as clearly stated by a principle at the Oconomowoc school district, they cannot keep children like my child safe. Some children need things like this in order to life a fear free life/childhood that all Americans should have the right to!
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by kare-a January 17, 2008 11:14 AM PST
another point.. one thing everyone is forgetting is this... we pay public school taxes no mater where you child goes to school, public or privet or vitual. these parents ARE paying for this education already. therefore the other side of it is, those that pay for privet education should get their money back? that will never happen so why should they have to pay additional costs and the public school systems still get paid for the child who is not attending it. again, this is all about money and not about the kids. Shameful!!!
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by rf35 January 17, 2008 11:25 AM PST
"privet education"

A product of American public schools?
Reply to this comment
by rf35 January 17, 2008 11:30 AM PST
priv7et (prvt)
n.
1. Any of several shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, especially L. vulgare or L. ovalifolium, having opposite leaves and clusters of white flowers and widely used for hedges.
2. Any of several similar or related plants.


The definition failed to mention L. ovalofficium.
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by kare-a January 17, 2008 11:44 AM PST
''rme'' you''re so right i attended public school as well as private, and it''s a product of typing with emotion. i''m sure you have never inaccurately typed a word in your entire life ''ey. smiles* and smh* at the triviality of your sad attempt at cyber bulling. you have a nice day now... *smiles
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by kare-a January 17, 2008 11:44 AM PST
''rme'' you''re so right i attended public school as well as private, and it''s a product of typing with emotion. i''m sure you have never inaccurately typed a word in your entire life ''ey. smiles* and smh* at the triviality of your sad attempt at cyber bulling. you have a nice day now... *smiles
Reply to this comment
by rf35 January 17, 2008 11:48 AM PST
Kare-A,
Sorry, I didn''t mean to offend...I was using the opportunity to poke a little fun at the article. I too am a product of our public school system and have my share of errors. I should have added a :) to my posting.
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by the_quietman January 17, 2008 2:06 PM PST
If you have an address you are paying school taxes. It does not matter if you have children or not. These kids have parents and grandparents paying those same taxes. The virtual schools in question are not private schools, they are virtual public schools and deserve public funding. This is not home tutering, the classes are available on-line to every student logged in. If they had been available when my children were in school they most certainly would have been my choice - No peer pressure, no fist fights, no drugs, no guns. A much better learning environment.
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by the_quietman January 17, 2008 2:07 PM PST
I meant to type tutoring - sorry.
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by michellem99-2009 January 17, 2008 9:29 PM PST
I hope the on-line school stays.I do think some children need it. I am tired of paying for schools but have no say in the matter. Govt schools don''t work and never has. I KNOW. I would rather them be taught as their parents think best. There was a day the govt stayed out of education. Way back. Hats off to ye and stand up for what yer know is right..
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by tlcm4 January 18, 2008 7:22 PM PST
My question is, do the virtual schools work for the students enrolled? Are their test scores, % of students admitted to universities, and other cultural marks of a successful education on par with or better than the public school in the states in question? If so, then I would suppose the response of at least the teacher''s union is fear based. If too many parents pull their kids into this program they will be forced to reduce the number of teacher/staff/programs they offer. Frankly, I think a little competition would be healthy for our current educational systems. If another system is going to provide my child with a better education, I''m all for it. Oh yeah, I would like my tax dollars to be all for it too, at least for the few years of my tax paying life that my kids will be in school.
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by jesusloveswe3 April 15, 2009 4:40 PM PDT
If these people have such a problem with our children being cyber schooled then fix the small country schools that feel they don't have to follow the laws. Our school district took it upon there self to decide what my son medical needed, I was harassed by the LEA,superindent,and neighbors (that where encouraged by the school district to take photos and videos of my son at his home). I was told that he didn't need his medical needed wheelchair and that he had no medical problems and was told by the LEA that i was the cause of my sons disabilities. They also refused to attempt to agree to the medical findings from his own team of doctors they kept saying i was doctor shopping, his doctors agreed to meet with them via phone but they would not even do that. Also my daughter while at that school was so far below her grade level that it was sad that i was wasting her time sending her to a school that wasn't even educating her she is a fifth grader that reads on a 1st grade level and does math on a kindergarten level so who is wasting tax payers money. So until the law makers make the small country schools follow the laws and stop bulling parents and innocent children i can do a better job at schooling them at home with the help of our cyber school they will do allot better where there are at. So before you start attacking our school talk to the parents who have there children in cyber schools and ask them why they chose to cyber school instead of the brick and mortar school offered to them. I just bet if you law makers would turn your attack toward all of the schools our children would of been in you will find allot reason why we are right in our choices. thank you for your time god bless.
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