Something that was posted in one of the NACOL forums a few days ago.
Florida may expand online education
Online education in Florida could be expanded under a bill that’s waiting for Gov. Charlie Crist’s approval.
Posted on Thu, Jun. 05, 2008
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/558694.htmlTALLAHASSEE — Thousands of public-school children across the state may soon be able to go to class without leaving their homes under a far-reaching measure that is now sitting on the desk of Gov. Charlie Crist.
The GOP-controlled Legislature passed a bill this year that mandates that every school district by 2009 offer some type of online education program, even to students as young as 5. Crist has until next week to sign it or veto it.While proponents of the measure say it is meant to accommodate a growing demand for online education, some experts worry the legislation will harm the state’s existing virtual education programs while providing a boon to private companies that could be tapped to design and run the programs.
To overcome potential objections from school districts, lawmakers crafted the bill in such a way that districts can potentially make a profit off the students that take the online courses. School districts will receive full funding for all students who stay home and take online courses, even if the actual program costs less.
”Florida has been a leader,” said Bill Tucker, chief operating officer of Education Sector, a nonprofit education policy think tank. “To tell you the truth, I have trouble figuring out why would you dramatically change the model when it’s going well.”
Roughly 60,000 schoolchildren across the state used Florida’s current online education programs in the past school year. The main $60 million program run out of Orlando, the Florida Virtual School, is aimed primarily at high school students and offers supplemental course work.
Both Broward and Miami-Dade use curriculum from the Florida Virtual School for their own stand-alone programs, although Broward’s is much larger and actually allows students to enroll in full-time programs.
”To me, it’s a very viable option to parents before they have their kids leave the school system,” said Christopher McGuire, director of Broward Virtual School, who said it helps children who are sick or have to work during the day.
The state also spent $9 million in the past school year on a much smaller program that provides a year-round, full-time curriculum for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. That program is run by two private companies, including one whose curriculum is provided by K12 Inc., the Virginia company cofounded by former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett.
Under the legislation, school districts have the option of starting this coming school year, although it is not mandatory.
Districts must provide access to computers and Internet service for students who enroll in the program and use certified teachers to teach online courses. Students are still subject to attendance checks and must take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
State Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican and one of the backers of the legislation, said the state needed to spur competition to boost the availability of online courses.
”I’ve seen students who desperately need online courses and have been unable to access them,” said Gaetz, a former school superintendent. “Now school districts can pick and choose and negotiate for price and quality.”
Tucker, however, is among those questioning the quality of the programs that will eventually be set up by every school district across the state.
Tucker said many districts would probably opt to hire private vendors, which is allowed under the legislation. K12, whose lobbyists include top Crist supporters such as former Education Commissioner Jim Horne, were among those backing the measure.
Rep. Joe Pickens, a Palatka Republican and co-sponsor of the bill, defended the approach lawmakers took, pointing out that districts must use providers selected by the Department of Education.
The measure mandates that 85 percent of instruction must come from teachers and that the online providers have offices in Florida and have experience in providing courses.
