Mississippi Online High Schools
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If charter schools are implemented, increased funding is necessary to cover the additional expenses of funding administrative and support costs for them.
The Senate removed allowance of virtual charter schools from its bill. The House is putting it back. Virtual charter schools have lobby influence! They also have high administrative costs, low teacher salaries and poor student achievement.
For the rest of the article, go to Be prudent when changing education
While the empowerment and expansion of the charter school concept in Mississippi seems a foregone political conclusion in the Mississippi Legislature, the central questions that remain are whether the House will try to limit charter schools in school districts rated “successful” and whether the House will seek to include “virtual” charter schools in the bill they send to conference with the Senate version.
The question of “virtual” charter schools – private educational institutions offering classes entirely online – have been a lightning rod during the charter school debate. Leading the charge against virtual charter schools has been state Superintendent Tom Burnham and Parents’ Campaign executive director Nancy Loome – both of whom say virtual charters schools have poor performance records.
Drawing particular fire from Loome and others has been K12 Inc. K12 is a publicly-held Herndon, Va., firm that is the largest U.S. operator of taxpayer-funded online schools and that is part-owned by billionaire Michael Milken. In 1990, Milken – at that time known by the pejorative title “junk bond king” – pleaded guilty to six felony counts of securities fraud and served a one-year-and-10-month federal prison sentence. Milken’s connection to K12 Inc. has been roundly flogged during the ongoing charter school debate in this state.
For the rest of the article, go to Will virtual charter schools make the cut?
With the growing possibilities that online learning affords students, this move by the committee is shortsighted. Online learning has the potential to adapt to students’ unique learning needs. Additionally, virtual education gives students flexibility in when and where they learn and allows students access to courses that may not otherwise be available in their area.
Mississippi’s move to strengthen charter schools is a step in the right direction. However, shutting a door to online learning means shutting the door to a world of educational options. Mississippi need not limit itself.
For the rest of the article, go to Don’t neglect ‘virtual’ schools
With the growing possibilities that online learning affords students, this move by the committee is shortsighted and limits students’ educational options. Online learning has the potential to adapt to students’ unique learning needs. Additionally, virtual education gives students flexibility in when and where they learn and allows students access to courses that may not otherwise be available in their limited geographical area.
Online learning is reaching more than a million students across the nation. Mississippi need not limit itself.
For the rest of the article, go to Charter-school law should not close the door for online schools
Under Senate Bill 2401, charters would be authorized in the 120 districts rated successful or worse, by a seven-member board appointed by the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as state K-12 and higher education officials.
In the state’s four star districts and 28 high performing districts, any charter school request would first go to the local school board for approval before going to the state authorizing agent for approval.
Senate Bill 2401 also would allow for virtual charter schools, permit students to cross district lines, and establish a first come, first served enrollment or a lottery if demand exceeded a school’s capacity.
For the rest of the article, go to Lt. governor backs charter schools bill
K12 Inc. (K12) is a technology-based education company. The Company offers curriculum and educational services designed to facilitate individualized learning for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, or K-12. The Company delivers its learning system to students primarily through virtual public schools and are building an institutional business with sales directly to school districts. K12 offers virtual public schools its curriculum, online learning platform and varying levels of academic and management services, which can range from targeted programs to complete turnkey solutions. In addition, parents can purchase its curriculum and learning solutions directly to facilitate or supplement their children’s education. In April 2010, K12 formed a joint venture with Middlebury College known as Middlebury Interactive Languages LLC (MIL) to develop online foreign language courses. In July 2010, the Company acquired all of KC Distance Learning, Inc. (KCDL).
For the rest of the article, go to K12 (LRN) Announces Quarterly Results
The idea of virtual learning is growing in the American education system. More students from Kindergarten through 12th grade are learning in front of a screen rather than from a live teacher. While some say the format is cost efficient and tailored to each individual’s learning speed, others say essential components of the schooling system, such as development of social skills and hands on lessons, are being compromised in the process. Many educators are looking on with reluctant optimism as the virtual world expands in its implementation. Today we’re looking at education that favors computers over classrooms.
For the rest of the article, go to The Growth of Virtual Learning (rebroadcast)
As technology changes and evolves, the world of education and teaching will undoubtedly change. Teachers across the country must stay ahead of the curve.
Although some teachers and the unions see school choice as foreboding for the public school outlook, school choice encompasses empowerment for the parent to choose an environment that employs teachers in all arenas. A new era has been ushered in for education. Once limited to rigid traditional school terms and schedules, teachers are employed in traditional public schools, charters, private schools, religious schools, and online schools just to name a few. Educators will in turn have choices themselves when deciding when, where and how to teach kids.
For the rest of the article, go to School Choice Offers Opportunity for the Teaching Profession
The building was completely renovated and refurbished, and parents got their first glimpse at the intricate interior during tours at the opening. The hallways simulate a streetscape, and 150 skylights let natural light into every classroom in the building.
Lorrie Grove, a founding board member of SkyView Academy and NorthStar Academy in Parker, described the atmosphere at the opening as “energizing.”
“You could just feel it in the air,” she said. “There was a buzz.”
For the rest of the article, go to SkyView sees limitless possibilities
PICAYUNE — A state education official who helps coordinate a virtual on-line school says the program is so popular and in so much demand that all slots are now filled and no more applications are being accepted for now.
However, Tina Sellers, special projects officer with what is called the Mississippi Virtual Public School, said that as soon as the program is ready to begin accepting more applicants, school districts throughout the state will be notified.
In addition, Sellers said that some parents are under the impression that their child can graduate from high school through the program, but that is not the case. However, some of the courses offered in the program might help the student graduate, she said.
For the rest of the article, go to No room in the virtual classroom
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