Virtual School Meanderings

May 19, 2013

ProQuest/EBSCO Alerts

proquestI started this new Sunday feature last week.  First, the ProQuest Alert for virtual school.

1.School District to launch cyber-school
Williams, Damon C. Philadelphia Tribune [Philadelphia, Pa] 23 Apr 2013: 1A,4A.

Formats:
Citation/Abstract
Full text

2.Keys to Success in Distance Education and ABA Rule 306
Johnson, Andrea L. Law Technology 46. 1 (First Quarter 2013): 1,3-15.

Formats:
Citation/Abstract
Full text Full text – PDF (814 KB)

Next, nothing from the ProQuest Alert for cyber school.

ebscoMoving on to the EBSCO alert for virtual school.

1. TI- School Specialty Files for Bankruptcy.
JN- Electronic Education Report
PD- 2/ 4/2013, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p1-8
PG- 4p
DT- 20130204
PT- Article
AB- The article reports on the predicament of Greenville, Wisconsin-based school supplies manufacturer School Specialty Inc. which has filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2012 and has announced plans to sell its assets to Bayside Capital Inc. It states that the firm expects the sale to be completed within two to three months, however it is possible that a higher bidder could emerge for the assets. It adds that School Specialty has secured $50 million in additional capital with its bankruptcy protection filing in the Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware. It provides a corporate profile of School Specialty which was established in 1959.
DE- CORPORATE bankruptcy
DE- BUSINESS failures
DE- BANKRUPTCY
DE- SALE of business enterprises
DE- CAPITAL
SU- UNITED States. Bankruptcy Court (Delaware)
GE- WISCONSIN
CO- SCHOOL Specialty Inc. DUNS Number: 006144026 Ticker: SCHS
CO- BAYSIDE Capital Inc.
IS- 10779949
AN- 87028326
UR- http://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=87028326&site=eds-live

2. TI- Partnership Briefs…
JN- Electronic Education Report
PD- 2/ 4/2013, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p8-8
PG- 1/5p
DT- 20130204
PT- Article
AB- The article reports on the partnerships between online learning solutions provider Edmentum and professional development provider NWEA to create an individualized learning path and between Florida Virtual School and social networking site GromSocial.com to offer secure networking opportunities.
DE- PARTNERSHIP (Business)
SU- ONLINE social networks
CO- EDMENTUM (Company)
IS- 10779949
AN- 87028332
UR- http://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=87028332&site=eds-live

3. TI- Financial Briefs…
JN- Electronic Education Report
PD- 2/ 4/2013, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p8-8
PG- 1/4p
DT- 20130204
PT- Article
AB- The article reports on the outlook of Pearson PLC that it will see modest revenue growth in its North American Education business when it releases its 2012 financial results and on the firm’s partnership with non-profit New Leaders to pair programs and technologies.
DE- FINANCIAL performance
DE- PARTNERSHIP (Business)
CO- PEARSON PLC DUNS Number: 042859199
IS- 10779949
AN- 87028333
UR- http://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=87028333&site=eds-live

Finally, no items from the EBSCO alert for cyber school.

May 18, 2013

Virtual Schooling In The News

InTheNewsBeginning with the SmartBrief for EdTech.

Legislation would impose new restrictions on virtual charter schools in Maine
Portland Press Herald (Maine) (5/13)

Next the Education Week’s Digital Directions.

IT Management

Florida Poised to Expand Online Providers
A Florida measure awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature would open the door to more online providers, including MOOCs. (Digital Education Blog)

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

Tampa school news
Tampabay.com
Virtual school information session: Hillsborough Virtual School will hold an information session on Tuesday for families with students in grades K-12 who are interested in full-time, part-time and the high school graduation requirements. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Cost to expand Texas ‘virtual schools’ puts bill in Legislature at risk
Dallas Morning News
The measure also would broaden the list of virtual education providers, now limited to school districts, charter schools and colleges, to nonprofit entities and private companies. And it would require school districts to provide all students in grades …
See all stories on this topic »

Law opens up funding for virtual schools
Bradenton Herald
Currently, students can enroll full time in the public Florida Virtual School or use the program to satisfy the graduation requirement. School systems can also open their own franchise of Florida Virtual and have the option of contracting with a …
See all stories on this topic »

Board approves virtual school proposal
The Garden City Telegram
AEC Principal Mark Ronn presented information to the board during a regularly-scheduled meeting Monday in favor of the virtual option for students. He said he recognized the need for the virtual school as more students are turning to online and …
See all stories on this topic »

Students from virtual high school attend prom – Standard-Examiner
StandardNet
ROY — Virtual school became a reality when 30 students who are enrolled at the public online high school Utah Connections Academy attended the school’s first prom, held at the Utah State Capital in April. Many of the students didn’t even know one …
See all stories on this topic »

Tampa school news
Tampabay.com
Virtual school information session: Hillsborough Virtual School will hold an information session on Tuesday for families with students in grades K-12 who are interested in full-time, part-time and the high school graduation requirements. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Maine Voices: To embrace virtual schools would be to shortchange Maine students
Press Herald
The Massachusetts Virtual Academy, the state’s first and only virtual school, will be closing this month after only three years, in part because of very poor student test scores — the second lowest in the state in math and English as measured by …
See all stories on this topic »

Online schools a virtual reality in Sacramento
Sacramento News & Review
When Kelly Krug’s son Ben struggled academically, the Fair Oaks mom looked for options that provided computerized instruction. Called “virtual schools,” these new classrooms allow students to learn course work entirely via online methods. Krug enrolled …
See all stories on this topic »

Pasco school officials fear funding implications of virtual bill
Tampabay.com (blog)
Lawmakers used the bill to create what some are calling a “level playing field” for all online course providers, essentially stripping away the preferred status that Florida Virtual School has enjoyed for years. But somewhere along the way, Pasco …
See all stories on this topic »

School notes
Tampabay.com
The school has collected more than 50,000 tabs, surpassing its goal of 10,000 tabs. The school will be collecting tabs until May 15. For information, call (813) 740-4888. Virtual school information session: Hillsborough Virtual School will hold an …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual schoolspoised to go viral
Palm Beach Post
Florida Virtual School grow 20 percent a year as legislature starts requirement for online class to graduate. . By Allison Ross. Palm Beach Post Staff Writer. The calls from students usually start just after 9 a.m. for teacher Kim Bouchillon. “Hi Sara …
See all stories on this topic »

Maine Democrats advance bills restricting virtual charter schools
Kennebec Journal
“I just can’t see where a full-time virtual school does much for a student,” said Rep. Victoria Kornfield, D-Bangor. “I can see the value in some (part-time) situation, but I’m just fundamentally against it.” Republicans objected to the votes, saying …
See all stories on this topic »

Google Glass: West Michigan online physics teacher takes students on virtual …
MLive.com
Andrew Vanden Heuvel, who teaches for Michigan Virtual School, Calvin College and Grand Rapids Community College, said his journey to Geneva, Switzerland, began after a call from Google. “Would you be willing to bring Google Glass to CERN and visit …
See all stories on this topic »

iNACOL Webinar: School District Highlights Response to Intervention Program …
Sacramento Bee
The Spring ISD Virtual School in Houston, TX developed a comprehensive RtI program – five years in the making – blending the best of face-to-face learning with online tools and resources. The program supports students across vast range of backgrounds, …
See all stories on this topic »

When Education Gets Too Virtual
InformationWeek
He and his sister are in a virtual school, so getting the password let him grade some of his own schoolwork. The good news is that he isn’t as clever as he thinks he is and routinely gets stopped when he tries a tactic like this one. My hope is that as …
See all stories on this topic »

TEMECULA: Information meeting Wednesday for virtual school
Press-Enterprise
Parents and students interested in learning more about Temecula Advantage Virtual School are encouraged to attend an information meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Temecula Advantage is the Temecula Valley Unified School District’s online school.
See all stories on this topic »

Educators on virtual charter schools: Hold off a year
Chicago Daily Herald
Cindy Hamblin is the director of the Illinois Virtual School, which is run by the Illinois State Board of Education and offers courses to students who don’t have access to them in their own districts. The Illinois Virtual School is not a stand-alone …
See all stories on this topic »

Online Charter School Hopes to Escape from Limbo
NJ Spotlight
A department spokeswoman yesterday said that a decision has yet to be made about this or any other virtual school proposals. “We’re still waiting for a decision,” said Lorna Bryant, interim director of the planned school. “In the meantime, we are doing …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual Education: Why it can work for you
Greenfield West Allis Now
Students enrolled in virtual school are never alone in the learning process. Highly-qualified, state-certified, teachers and staff are dedicated to helping students reach their full potential through goal-setting, course scheduling, personal and social …
See all stories on this topic »

Great Lakes Cyber Academy Approved for 2013-2014 School Year
Midland Daily News
Using the award-winning Florida Virtual School and Connections Academy curriculum, Great Lakes Cyber Academy offers a robust selection of core courses, including AP and Honors courses, as well as an exciting array of electives to provide students …
See all stories on this topic »

Fred Grimm: Boondoggle? Hey, it’s for the kids
MiamiHerald.com
The measure eased the vetting process for online vendors and allowed out-of-state firms to jump into the game while simultaneously cutting back funding for the public, state-run Florida Virtual School. What made this bill so disconcerting is that it …
See all stories on this topic »

Legislation further undermines Florida’s public school system
Bradenton Herald
Legislation also reduces the per-student allocation for Florida Virtual School, the public entity that has been expanding exponentially as the state transitions toward a greater reliance on virtual education. Students completed 116,000 FLVS courses …
See all stories on this topic »

Airport To Offer Online Classes
Monroe Evening News
Known as AVA, the virtual school offers a variety of classes online. AVA is open to any student, officials said, including those who might have moved out of the district but still want to earn a diploma from Airport Community Schools. Students who need …
See all stories on this topic »

Dawn Patrol: Coach charged in hazing; 18 virtual-school appeals
Chicago Daily Herald
After a five-month investigation of allegations of hazing at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office yesterday charged former Maine West High School head varsity soccer coach Michael Divincenzo with hazing and …
See all stories on this topic »

State panel won’t consolidate 18 virtual school appeals
Chicago Daily Herald
Administrators, district attorneys, school board members, union representatives and community members packed the meeting Wednesday of the Illinois State Charter School Commission in Chicago to argue against the proposed appeal process for a virtual …
See all stories on this topic »

Brevard School Board Budget: Breaks the Law, Lacks Priorities
Brevard Times
Also infuriating to a mother who just wants to see kids thrive in neighborhood schools, without the threat of closure and teacher cuts: the legislature’s gifts to Florida Virtual School. While Brevard taxpayers can be praised for generosity toward high …
See all stories on this topic »

Ed Tech, Privatization And Plunder
InformationWeek
I’ve written before about putting my younger kids in a virtual school program run by the Broward County public school system. The Broward Virtual School operates as a franchise of the Florida Virtual School but also offers some programs through K12.com …
See all stories on this topic »

Finally, the Google news alert for cyber school.

Altoona pulls out of cyber school
Altoona Mirror
By Russ O’Reilly (roreilly@altoonamirror.com) , The Altoona Mirror As one local district cuts ties to a local cyber charter school to save money, …

Altoona pulls out of cyber school
Altoona Mirror
As one local district cuts ties to a local cyber charter school to save money, another is looking to take it over as a source of revenue. The Altoona Area school board has cut ties with Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation after managing …
See all stories on this topic »

Agora Cyber Charter School Teacher Wins National Parent Organization Award
MarketWatch
WAYNE, Pa., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, tuition-free, public cyber school option in Pennsylvania, today announced that Agora music teacher Andrew Rinaldi has been named the 2013 …
See all stories on this topic »

Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School Teacher Named National American Pioneer …
Wall Street Journal
ARLINGTON, Va., May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — PublicSchoolOptions.org, a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children, today announced Agora Cyber Charter …
See all stories on this topic »

Altoona Cyber School Program
Fox8tv
Altoona Area School District is no longer offering Cyber Schooling. The Altoona Mirror says the board decided to cut ties with Central Pennsylvania Learning …

Frazier candidates give opinions on test scores, cyber school
Uniontown Herald Standard
Despite concerns, two Frazier School Board candidates remain confident with the proactive measures being implemented by the district at the high school …

Primary Election Guide: Carlisle Area School Board
The Sentinel
School Districts are mandated to accept the financial responsibility of students attending cyber while we have our own cyber school that shows is very …

Great Lakes Cyber Academy Approved for 2013-2014 School Year
PR Web
Students in grades 9-12 from across Michigan have a new open enrollment option for Michigan’s 2013-2014 school year—Great Lakes Cyber Academy, a full-time, …

Pennsylvania cyber charter schools rally to oppose funding cuts
The Herald | HeraldOnline.com
By PA Cyber Charter School HARRISBURG, Pa., May 17, 2013 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A large contingent of PA Cyber Charter School students, parents, …

Pennsylvania cyber charter schools rally to oppose funding cuts
MarketWatch
HARRISBURG, Pa., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A large contingent of PA Cyber Charter School students, parents, teachers and staff were among a …

Pennsylvania cyber charter schools rally to oppose funding cuts
SYS-CON Media
By PR Newswire HARRISBURG, Pa., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A large contingent of PA Cyber Charter School students, parents, teachers and staff …

May 12, 2013

ProQuest/EBSCO Alerts

proquestI set these up about a month or so ago, and I’ve decided to start posting them as the regular Sunday feature (provided they continue to show up in my inbox and continue to be useful).

First, the ProQuest Alert for virtual school.

1.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL OF COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OFFERS SUMMER CLASSESUS Fed News Service, Including US State News [Washington, D.C] 08 May 2013.

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4.

Caregivers’ Support for their Elementary School Children in the Virtual ClassroomFairbairn, Shane Jay. Walden University, ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing, 2013. 3557707.

Formats:
Citation/Abstract
Preview -‎ PDF (2 MB) Full text – PDF (3 MB)

Next, the ProQuest Alert for cyber school.

1.

Weathering the criticismWilliams, Damon C. Philadelphia Tribune [Philadelphia, Pa] 19 Apr 2013: 6A.

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2.

Virtual Tutoring provides educational optionsRobinson, Michael. Philadelphia Tribune [Philadelphia, Pa] 19 Apr 2013: 8B.

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3.

Charter school operators defend performanceWilliams, Damon C. Philadelphia Tribune [Philadelphia, Pa] 12 Apr 2013: 7A.

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4.

Online Learning Growing at a Cyber PaceHirsch, Deborah. Jewish Exponent [Philadelphia] 11 Apr 2013: NS2.

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ebscoFinally, the EBSCO alert for cyber school.

1. TI- SLIPPERY ROCK AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT V. PENNSYLVANIA CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL: A FIGHT ON THE SCHOOL-FUNDING PLAYGROUND.
AU- Hadrick, Rachel R.1
JN- Widener Law Journal
PD- 2013, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p289-305
PG- 17p
DT- 20130201
PT- Article
AB- The article discusses the Pennsylvania Supreme Court case Slippery Rock Area School District v. Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School regarding funding for the Cyber Charter School’s kindergarten program. It was held that Slippery Rock Area School District has to deduct certain funds from the school district’s state funding to pay for certain students. It reveals that public school district has obligated to provide funding to a charter school that enrolled a four-year-old resident of the district.
DE- PUBLIC schools
DE- KINDERGARTEN
DE- EDUCATIONAL programs
SU- SLIPPERY Rock Area School District (Slippery Rock, Pa.)
SU- PENNSYLVANIA Cyber Charter School (Midland, Pa.)
CO- PENNSYLVANIA. Supreme Court
IC- 611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
AD- 1Widener University School of Law (Harrisburg)
IS- 15484076
AN- 87411988
UR- http://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asx&AN=87411988&site=eds-live

May 11, 2013

Virtual Schooling In The News

InTheNewsBeginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Push for virtual education estimated to be costly in Texas
A proposal to require all Texas students in grades 6-12 to take at least one course online would have cost the state more than $1 billion over two years — a price tag that has led to a change in the proposed legislation. Now, lawmakers are considering a proposal to expand virtual courses, including to private and home-school students, at a cost of about $200 million over the next two years. The Dallas Morning News (free content) (5/5)

Also, the SmartBrief for EdTech.

2013 Online Teacher of Year offers best practices for virtual instruction
EdTech magazine (5/2013)

Wis. district slows plans for online charter school
Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wis.) (5/3)

Push for virtual education estimated to be costly in Texas
A proposal to require all Texas students in grades 6-12 to take at least one course online would have cost the state more than $1 billion over two years — a price tag that has led to a change in the proposed legislation. Now, lawmakers are considering a proposal to expand virtual courses, including to private and home-school students, at a cost of about $200 million over the next two years. The Dallas Morning News (free content) (5/5)

Ill. school innovates with blended-learning approach
Huntley High School in Illinois incorporates a blended-learning approach of independent, self-paced online assignments and traditional classroom learning and testing. Anne Pasco, the school’s blended learning/educational technology department chairwoman, has been working on the model for two years and says innovations are incorporated as needed. “It is modeled after [college] with the safety net of high school,” said Pasco, who teaches Advanced Placement U.S. history. Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, Ill.) (5/9)

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

House, Senate agree to virtual school expansion
Tampabay.com (blog)
With the clock winding down on the 2013 Legislative session, the House signed off on a bill that would revamp virtual education in Florida. The proposal would enable more private online education companies to do business with public schools. And it …
See all stories on this topic »

Virginia’s first statewide virtual school likely to close
Washington Post
The decision to close what was also the state’s first online school deals a blow to Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s goal of expanding virtual education options. It also leaves hundreds of families, including many in Northern Virginia, in the lurch for the …
See all stories on this topic »

Superintendents urge temporary halt on virtual charter schools
Chicago Tribune
Several area school district superintendents are asking parents and others to support legislation that would impose a one-year moratorium on the creation of new virtual charter schools. The move follows the recent rejection by 18 suburban school …
See all stories on this topic »

Florida Virtual School® and Toolwire Win USDLA Best Practices in Distance …
Consumer Electronics Net
Florida Virtual School (FLVS®) and Toolwire announced that the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), the nations leading distance learning organization, has named the FLVS Foundations of Web Design course winner of the 2013 Best …
See all stories on this topic »

Florida Virtual School Slated For Big Budget Hits
WFSU
The Florida Virtual School is bracing for an impending budget cut as a result of changes in the state funding formula. The move also has school districts on edge as they also eye a drop in funding as a result of changes proposed in the state’s 2013 …
See all stories on this topic »

Reader’s View, virtual schools: Online education offers viable alternative for …
The Idaho Statesman
Virtual schooling with INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy allows students to receive a top-notch public education online from the comfort of home. Virtual education is an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional classroom, and by 2015, …
See all stories on this topic »

House, Senate agree to virtual school expansion
Tampabay.com (blog)
With the clock winding down on the 2013 Legislative session, the House signed off on a bill that would revamp virtual education in Florida. The proposal would enable more private online education companies to do business with public schools. And it …
See all stories on this topic »

Muskegon joining list of districts offering ‘virtual’ middle and high schools …
Muskegon Chronicle – MLive.com
laptop.JPG Muskegon and Holton schools are joining a growing list of school districts offering their own online “virtual schools.” Existing programs are offered by Ravenna, Whitehall, Grand Haven and Hart school districts and the Muskegon Area …
See all stories on this topic »

Florida public online school gets small budget increase
Tampabay.com
TALLAHASSEE — School districts, teachers and parents are celebrating the $1 billion addition to the state’s education budget. But not everyone is happy with their slice of the pie. Florida Virtual School, the state’s public online school, says it will …
See all stories on this topic »

New Lafayette school program would target new students
The Advocate
LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish School System is considering the launch of a virtual school option for students in the fall to recapture students who have left the system for home schooling or virtual charter schools. The district currently offers …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school updates
The Recorder
The school department’s proposal to transition its 3-year-old virtual innovation school into a state-authorized virtual school is being reviewed by state officials this month and next, ahead of a state vote at the end of June. But part of Greenfield’s …
See all stories on this topic »

Students from virtual high school attend prom – Standard-Examiner
StandardNet
ROY — Virtual school became a reality when 30 students who are enrolled at the public online high school Utah Connections Academy attended the school’s first prom, held at the Utah State Capital in April. Many of the students didn’t even know one …
See all stories on this topic »

Cost to expand Texas ‘virtual schools’ puts bill in Legislature at risk
Dallas Morning News
The state’s virtual school network now serves only a fraction of high school students. Legislation pending before the Senate would add courses to attract thousands more and expand the network to private school and home-school students. The measure also …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school updates
The Recorder
The school department’s proposal to transition its 3-year-old virtual innovation school into a state-authorized virtual school is being reviewed by state officials this month and next, ahead of a state vote at the end of June. But part of Greenfield’s …
See all stories on this topic »

Board approves virtual school proposal
The Garden City Telegram
USD 457 Board of Education members Monday night approved a virtual school be put into place at the Alternative Education Center. The center is in the J.D. Adams Building, 1312 N. Seventh St. The measure passed 5-0. Board members Alex Wallace and …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual School of Computational Science and Engineering Offers Summer Classes
Tennessee Today
Graduate students, post-docs and professionals from academia, government and industry are invited to enroll in two summer school courses offered by the Virtual School of Computational Science and Engineering and presented at the University of …
See all stories on this topic »

Online schools a virtual reality in Sacramento
Sacramento News & Review
Some private virtual-school companies operating here in Sacramento have grown enrollment by more than 20 percent annually over the past several years. This means that tens of millions of taxpayer dollars go toward these new online classrooms, which has …
See all stories on this topic »

Bill would allow online vendors better access to public school funding
MiamiHerald.com
But Democrats were outraged that the final action took place on the last day of session – and only hours after lawmakers reduced the funding for Florida’s public virtual school. Taken together, critics said, the moves were a clear effort to privatize …
See all stories on this topic »

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

West Shore school officials lift prom ban for cyber school student
PennLive.com
Tony Lohry, father of Eleanor Lohry An 18-year-old cyber charter school student barred from attending her senior prom will be allowed to go after all.

Virtual shout-out for cyber schools
Philly.com
I get shocked faces whenever I reveal that two of my daughters graduated from a Pennsylvania cyber charter school. Maybe I seem as if I should be a better …

Should cyber school students be able to attend prom?: poll, your comments
PennLive.com
They said Lohry, a Lemoyne resident and Commonwealth Connections Academy cyber school student, wasn’t elligible to attend the prom because although she lives and has friends in the district, the schools’ “social events” aren’t open to cyber school …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school student denied in her attempt to attend the Cedar Cliff High …
Penn Live
Lohry, 18, who lives in Lemoyne and is a student at a cyber school, has been denied the chance to attend the prom by the West Shore School District. The district has classified the prom as a “social event” — rather than an extracurricular activity …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual shout-out for cyber schools – Philly.com
Philly.com
I get shocked faces whenever I reveal that two of my daughters graduated from a Pennsylvania cyber charter school. Maybe I seem as if I should be a better parent than to let my kids morph into lazy, pajama-clad, screen-addicted slobs sliding downhill …
See all stories on this topic »

West Shore school officials lift prom ban for cyber school student
Patriot-News
Eleanor was told those activities included prom, according to her dad, when she left Cedar Cliff for Commonwealth Connections Academy – a cyber charter school – in 2010 after a succession of health problems caused her to miss school, fall behind and …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber Schools are Raising Questions – Homeschooling – About.com
About – News & Issues
According to a Washington Post story yesterday, Virginia’s first and largest cyber charter school is closing because of administration concerns. But the Post noted there have also been questions about the effectiveness of online public schools. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber schools hope one day the focus will solely be on learning
CBS 21
Democratic Chairman of the House Education Committee, State Representative Roebuck recently introduced a sweeping charter and cyber school reform bill. and money is the issue. “The complaint I hear the most is that a school district gets a bill from a …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school waste
Tribune-Review
In reference to the news story “New Florence girl advocates for cyber schools at state hearing” (April 18 and TribLIVE.com): I am very glad that two of our state representatives recognize the inherently unfair cyber school funding formula and are …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school sets info session tonight
Carbondale News
Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA), a K-12 public cyber school, is hosting a local information session to educate parents and families about CCA’s unique curriculum, which uses technology and more to deliver individualized education for each …
See all stories on this topic »

C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp
Sacramento Bee
Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand to congratulate Shimp and his parents Ed and Ginger Shimp of State College. Following the ceremony, a C-SPAN mobile educational vehicle will be available at the site for the …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school waste
Tribune-Review
The story quotes Achievement House cyber charter school spokeswoman Lynn Rodden as saying, “There’s just no way cyber schools will be able to continue to …

Cyber Student Not Allowed To Attend Prom – abc27 WHTM
abc27
Eleanor Lohry, 18, already has the dress and the shoes, but the West Shore School District is not allowing the Cyber Student to attend Cedar Cliff High …

Agora Cyber Charter School Teacher Wins National Parent …
Sacramento Bee
By Agora Cyber Charter School WAYNE, Pa., May 8, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, tuition-free, public cyber …

Agora Cyber Charter School Teacher Wins National Parent …
DigitalJournal.com
WAYNE, Pa., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, tuition-free, public cyber school option in Pennsylvania, …

Alternative schooling offers new options
Voices of Central Pennsylvania
Another 21st century option is cyber school. Many districts, including State College, have or are creating their own cyber schools, but one of the oldest …

Local Teens Part of Cyber School Prom
The Kittanning Paper
Agora Cyber Charter School students Alyssa Peters of Shelocta and Stefan Dinus of Ford City walk the red carpet on prom night at Water’s Edge at the …

May 4, 2013

Virtual Schooling In The News

InTheNewsBeginning with the Digital Directions from Education Week.

Read the Ed-Tech Blogs

Check out the Digital Education blog for analysis of the technological challenges you face today.
Recent Posts:

Next, the ASCD SmartBrief.

Free online courses allow teachers to receive training anytime
Coursera has added a “teacher professional development” category to its collection of online and videotaped courses, allowing busy educators to participate according to their own schedule. The courses — in development by Coursera in partnership with seven schools of education, plus educational institutions and museums — will allow K-12 teachers and other individuals worldwide to take courses intended to help them develop understanding of topics, including the Common Core State Standards and blended learning. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/L.A. Now blog (4/30)

Also, the SmartBrief for EdTech.

Should online, traditional schools receive the same funding?
In Ohio and elsewhere, the growth of online schools — in which students learn over the Internet — has drawn criticism from some who say such schools should not be subject to the same funding formulas as traditional schools. Online schools, critics say, do not incur the same costs as traditional schools, such as busing. However, proponents of online education say e-schools have additional costs, such as the those associated with mailing materials and socialization for students. The Review (East Liverpool, Ohio)/The Associated Press (4/28)

Community colleges use blended learning to personalize instruction
The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/29)

FCC’s director of digital learning is tasked with expanding broadband in schools
VentureBeat (4/29)

Peer tutoring goes online in Ariz. district
National Honor Society students at the five high schools in an Arizona district are tutoring their peers online through the Free Resources for Online Student Tutoring program. Student tutors can assist their peers from home, while teachers periodically log on. While Jeff Billings, director of information technology for the Paradise Valley Unified School District, does not expect online tutoring to replace in-person sessions, he said it can help increase students’ access to such services. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (5/1)

How one district uses blended learning to teach Chinese
An Ohio school district is using a blended-learning approach to bring Chinese-language learning to more students amid a tightening budget. One teacher leads three classes on different campuses at the same time by using video conferencing and online exercises. “They tend to be more on task and respectful — they don’t see me every day, but every time I see them they are eager to work with me,” language teacher Dun Zhang said. District Administration magazine (5/2013)

Principal: OpenCourseWare creates opportunities for personalized learning for students
SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (5/2)

Calif. state workers could be required to complete online civics class
A bill being considered in California would require the state Department of Education to develop an online civics class that every public-sector employee would have to complete upon being hired, promoted or reclassified. Labor unions and the California Chamber of Commerce support the bill. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration)/The State Worker blog (4/25)

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

Fla. online school target of cuts from legislators
Ocala
Webster, who championed the creation and expansion of the school when he was a state legislator, said Florida Virtual School has already endured additional cuts in the last few years when Florida was mired in the recession. “Although the cuts currently …
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Portland Public Schools offer Virtual School options
Lansing State Journal
The first day of school next year will look a lot different to some Portland Public School students. There will be no bus ride, no classroom and no first day of school jitters as the new Portland Virtual School (PVS) will be in full swing for the 2013 …
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State should not hold back virtual schools
Saukvalley
School districts get their money in part based on how many students they have attending, so they fear that virtual schools will siphon away students – and dollars – from their districts. But what about the kids? Virtual schools provide an excellent …
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Proposed funding change could cut jobs at Florida Virtual School
Orlando Business Journal (blog)
Erik Fresen has proposed a new funding model for Florida Virtual School (and you can read an Associated Press article on it here. Currently, Florida Virtual School is funded by courses — if a student takes a course and successfully completes it …
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Flaws found at online education provider wooing Maine
Press Herald
Staff Writer. Investigators in Florida have found that online education company K12 Inc., which is seeking to operate a full-time virtual charter school in Maine, has employed teachers to teach subjects for which they lacked the proper certification.
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CUSD 200 asks for families’ help in rejecting virtual charter school proposal
Suburban Life Publications
WHEATON – In a letter to Community Unit School District 200 families, Superintendent Brian Harris has asked for their help in upholding the school board’s decision to reject a proposed online charter school that would serve students in the district.
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Spring ISD Virtual School registration open
Ultimate Spring
by Journatic News Service | April 22, 2013 10:06 am. The Spring Independent School District’s Virtual School is accepting registrations through Saturday, June 1, for its online summer school that begins Thursday, June 6. “The summer course offerings …
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PreK-12 Online Course Market Forecast 2013
Wall Street Journal
They can be used for full-time study in an online virtual school or one or two at a time to supplement traditional K-12 courses. With that understanding as a guide, Simba analyzes how widely online courses are being offered in PreK-12 schools, the …
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Committee issues school security measures
Cherokee Ledger
He also announced the rollout next year of the Cherokee Cyber Connections (C3) Academy, which will expand the existing online curricular offerings for CCSD high school students (Georgia Virtual School, Credit Connect, Georgia Credit Recovery and …
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Illinois Policy Institute’s $16 Million Virtual Charter School Tax Grab
ChicagoNow (blog)
Ted Dabrowski, Vice President of Policy at Illinois Policy Institute, is listed as secretary for Virtual Learning Solutions, the new entity formed to manage the virtual school for K12, Inc., which runs online schools nationally. Eric Kohn, whose wife …
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Fla. Online School Target of Cuts From Legislators
Diverse: Issues in Higher Educatio
“Although the cuts currently being considered for Florida Virtual School may appear insignificant on their own, when coupled with the recent reductions over the past several years, they will reach a magnitude that will have a large impact on the …
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Superintendents urge temporary halt on virtual charter schools
Chicago Tribune
School districts in Aurora, Elgin, Geneva and St. Charles and others also were approached with the virtual school proposal. Sharnell Jackson, president of nonprofit Virtual Learning Solutions, which would oversee the school, has called the online …
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AIM planning visit from acclaimed actor
Leavenworth Times
Art in Motion will present Stogie Kenyatta’s acclaimed traveling one-man show, “The World is My Home ― the Story of Paul Robeson,” at 7 p.m. June 1 and 4 p.m. June 2 at the Leavenworth Virtual School, 1003 Third Ave. in Leavenworth. email · print. By …
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Muskegon joining list of districts offering ‘virtual’ middle and high schools …
Muskegon Chronicle – MLive.com
MUSKEGON, MI – An online “virtual school” program will be operated by a private firm for Muskegon schools, one of the most recent districts to offer the education alternative. Online programs, also known as “seat time waiver” programs, allow students …
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FGCU notebook: 7 sign to play men’s soccer
The News-Press
Of the seven-man class four hail from the state of Florida — midfielder Will Suedois (Florida Virtual School), midfielder Nicolas Russo (Florida Virtual School), forward Derek Gebhard (George Steinbrenner High) and Santiago Ortiz (Montverde Academy).
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Virginia’s first statewide virtual school likely to close
Washington Post
The Carroll County School Board plans to end its partnership with the contractor that operates Virginia’s largest full-time statewide virtual school, effectively shutting down a program that serves more than 350 students. The decision to close what is …
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Florida virtual students get unexpected down time
Tampabay.com (blog)
Florida students taking online courses through Florida Virtual School and its affiliates found themselves without access to their classes over the past couple of days. They won’t be penalized for getting their work done late. The reason? A computer …
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Florida Virtual School® and Toolwire Win USDLA Best Practices in Distance …
DigitalJournal.com (press release)
Florida Virtual School (FLVS®) and Toolwire announced that the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), the nation’s leading distance learning organization, has named the FLVS Foundations of Web Design course winner of the 2013 Best …
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School Board to review WIVA contract, consider extension
hngnews.com
The increase in students is something the McFarland School Board will consider as it looks at an annual review of performance goals for WIVA, and discusses a possible contract extension with the virtual school. The McFarland School District is …
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Reader’s View, virtual schools: Online education offers viable alternative for …
The Idaho Statesman
A common misperception is that virtual school students sit in front of a computer all day. While the computer is a tool for teachers and parents to manage and track assignments, communicate (along with the phone) and deliver interactive curricular …
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Sullivan defends school-district business company
Kamloops This Week
Sullivan said the Kamloops-Thompson school district was approached by the government when the Virtual School Society running Learn Now B.C. encountered difficulties and wanted to close the online portal. When it was created in 2006, Learn Now BC …
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Florida Virtual School: Proposed budget would hurt our funding
MiamiHerald.com (blog)
Florida Virtual School, the state’s public online school, says it will actually come up about $36 million short due to a proposed change in the state’s education finance formula. FLVS was expecting to see its $200 million budget increased by $45 …
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Florida public online school gets small budget increase
Tampabay.com
TALLAHASSEE — School districts, teachers and parents are celebrating the $1 billion addition to the state’s education budget. But not everyone is happy with their slice of the pie. Florida Virtual School, the state’s public online school, says it will …
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New Lafayette school program would target new students
The Advocate
LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish School System is considering the launch of a virtual school option for students in the fall to recapture students who have left the system for home schooling or virtual charter schools. The district currently offers …
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School district considers offffering ‘virtual school’
Cameron County Endeavor
School district considers offffering ‘virtual school’. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s the philosophy behind a growing trend by Pennsylvania public school systems to deal with the competition they’re facing from the popular “cyber schools” and …
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Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

East Lycoming reviews cyber school tuition
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
HUGHESVILLE – Outreach for behaviorally challenged students and cyber and charter school tuition were topics of discussion at the East Lycoming School Board meeting, held Tuesday evening. Principals Sherry Cowburn, of Ashkar Elementary, and Tommy …
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Agora Cyber Charter School Now Enrolling Students for 2013-2014 Academic …
Sacramento Bee
WAYNE, Pa., April 25, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, public cyber school, has opened enrollment for students in grades K-12 for the 2013–2014 school year. Agora accepts students from across the state of …
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Don’t cut cyber school funding
phillyBurbs.com
There are many misconceptions about how public cyber charter schools work. First, my school is not a homeschool; homeschooling and public charter schools are two different things. In homeschooling, students only work with their parents or guardians, …
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Easton teachers union files complaint over cyber school employees
The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com
The Easton Area School District teachers union president says the district broke an agreement to hire district teachers to staff its cyber school. A court date is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 8. before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board in Harrisburg …
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Albert Gallatin school board candidates address AYP, cyber school, education cuts
Uniontown Herald Standard
Candidates for school board director in the Albert Gallatin Area School District are preparing to tackle tough issues in the district, including the district’s failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), cyber charter school costs and education …
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Karen Heller: Karen Heller: In Philly, the fast track to the cyber-school bottom
Philly.com
… are enrolled in “schools” administered by private, for-profit operators that seized on a great opportunity to make nice money for little effort. In the charter gold rush, cyber schools are veritable diamond mines with, as Roebuck noted, “very …
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Bethel Park wants reform for cyber and charter school funding
McMurray Almanac
Currently, public schools throughout the state pay for each of their students who attends a charter or a cyber charter school and have, in the past, received some reimbursement from the state. However, Gov. Tom Ridge eliminated cyber school …
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C-SPAN to air PA Cyber student’s winning video
Sacramento Bee
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 25, 2013 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — C-SPAN will air a national award-winning video by Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School student Alan Shimp at 6:50 a.m. Friday, April 26. Shimp, 11, an accelerated student taking …
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Cyber school sets info session tonight
Carbondale News
Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA), a K-12 public cyber school, is hosting a local information session to educate parents and families about CCA’s …

LH candidates sound off on issues concerning district
Uniontown Herald Standard
The candidates are aware of the drain cyber school is having on public education and in Laurel Highlands school district, where the district spent more than …

Cyber school student denied in her attempt to attend the Cedar …
Penn Live
Lohry, 18, who lives in Lemoyne and is a student at a cyber school, has been denied the chance to attend the prom by the West Shore School District.

Cyber student not allowed to attend prom
abc27
By Kendra Nichols – bio | email Eleanor Lohry, 18, already has the dress and the shoes, but the West Shore School District is not allowing the cyber student …

Cumberland County teen is rejected from Prom
FOX43.com
by Rebecca Solomon A Lemoyne teen is ready to dance at prom, but the West Shore School District says she’s not allowed to because she attends a cyber …

Should cyber school students be able to attend prom?: poll, your …
PennLive.com
They said Lohry, a Lemoyne resident and Commonwealth Connections Academy cyber school student, wasn’t elligible to attend the prom because although she …

Cyber schools hope one day the focus will solely be on learning
CBS 21
For the Cribbs family, school is a top priority in their home. For them, home is where the classroom is. “One of my favorite things about cyber school,” …

Cyber Schools are Raising Questions
About – News & Issues
By Kathy Ceceri, About.com GuideMay 2, 2013 According to a Washington Post story yesterday, Virginia’s first and largest cyber charter school is closing …

Prom not considered extracurricular activity so WSSD can exclude …
Examiner.com
Cyber school helped her to focus on her grades taking classes online in the … Students that attend charter school and cyber schools are considered part of …

C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp
Sacramento Bee
By PA Cyber Charter School Shimp and two other winners in C-SPAN’s “Message … Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand …

West Shore cyber student allowed to attend prom
abc27
By Kendra Nichols – bio | email The West Shore School District is now allowing a cyber student to attend the Cedar Cliff High School prom and she wants to …

a blog from
The Progressive Pulse
Cyber (also called online or virtual) schools allow students to take their entire school caseload through their home computer, and the for-profit K12, …

C-SPAN president interviews PA Cyber student Alan Shimp
MarketWatch
Kerry A. Benninghoff (R-171) and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand to congratulate Shimp and his parents Ed and Ginger Shimp of State College.

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