Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the eSchool News.

States boost access to online education

A new survey intended to evaluate online-learning policies and practices from coast to coast reveals significant growth in state and district support for this instructional model at the K-12 level. At least 25 states now lead statewide online-learning initiatives, according to the survey, which is a dramatic increase from the 15 states driving programs only a year ago. Key words: online learning, digital education, educational technology| Read More

Then the ASCD SmartBrief.

Online-learning programs are on the rise in U.S. schools
A survey shows that 26 states offer online learning options for K-12 students, up from 15 states in 2007, and enrollment in online-school initiatives has increased by at least 25% in 12 states. Many states face funding issues and other obstacles to starting or expanding virtual learning but are including it in education-reform strategies to enhance curriculum, increase access and provide relief from overcrowded schools and teacher shortages. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (11/16)

Making I believe its first appearance, the THE Journal.

Statewide Support for K-12 Online Learning Grows
States and districts have increased their support for online K-12 education programs. Twenty-five states now run statewide online initiatives, according to new research from the Center for Digital Education (CDE) at policy and research firm e.Republic. That’s up from 15 states running such initiatives a year ago. More

Back to the regular Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Online High School CEO Wins Prestigious Award at National K-12 Virtual School Symposium
PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST
Insight Schools CEO and Founder Keith Oelrich was honored for “Outstanding Individual Contribution to K-12 Online Learning” yesterday at the Annual International Association for K-12 Online Learning Membership Meeting in Austin, Texas during the Virtual School Symposium.

CATA launches virtual classroom platform in Dover
Foster’s Daily Democrat Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:58 AM PST
DOVER — Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy launched virtual classrooms with students on Thursday, Nov. 12. The CATA staff has been working hard to come up with a way for classes to continue in the event of school closings due to illness, weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

A new way of learning: Virtual High School offers classes to Sandwich students
The Sandwich Broadsider Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:11 AM PST
Sandwich High School students are no longer confined by the walls of their classrooms.

Giunti Labs and Florida Virtual School Partner to Build Next Generation of Online Courses
PRWeb via Yahoo! News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:01 PM PST
Florida Virtual School (FLVS), an established leader in developing and providing virtual K-12 education solutions, announced today at the 2009 Virtual School Symposium a strategic partnership with Giunti Labs, a leading global provider of learning content management and digital repository solutions, to create a state-of-the-art Learning Content Management System (LCMS).

Schools eye ‘Net results
New York Post Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:48 AM PST
High-school students could soon take classes while sitting at home in their pajamas. The state Board of Regents yesterday approved the development of a “virtual high school initiative” that will allow students to earn credits online. The move c…

School goes virtual with online public schools
Lexington Clipper-Herald Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:51 PM PST
(ARA) – More children are logging on instead of getting on the bus this season.

Next the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber learning
The Observer Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:11 PM PST
Rio Rancho Observer ‘†Andy Jones The Rio Rancho Cyber Academy held an open house last Monday to allow members of the community a chance to tour the facility, learn about the unique educational opportunities the school offers and participate in a class on cyber safety, taught by students. Youth Leadership Sandoval County member and Cyber Academy student Adrian Gurule gets his photo taken with …

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Virtual charter school enrollment short of cap
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The number of students who used open enrollment to attend Wisconsin’s virtual charter schools this school year fell well short of the cap set last year by …
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Virtual Schools’ Use of SAS® Curriculum Pathways® Skyrockets
SYS-CON Media (press release)
The use of SAS Curriculum Pathways in virtual learning environments has increased 360 percent in the past two years, with nearly 100 virtual schools now …
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Agilix Labs Demonstrates BrainHoney at Virtual School Symposium
SYS-CON Media (press release)
During the 2009, Virtual School Symposium (VSS), held November 15 through 17, BrainHoney will give teachers and administrators a chance to set up their own …
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Boffins develop virtual reality anti-bullying game
Register
FearNot! creates a virtual school with 3D pupils that can be set to bully, look like an easy target or sit meekly in fear of attracting unwanted attention. …
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Oregon Connections Academy Earns “Outstanding” Grade — Highest Possible …
Earthtimes (press release)
Connections Academy also serves K-12 students in all states through its private virtual school, National Connections Academy. …
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Elgin ISD offers Texas Virtual School Network
Elgin Courier
The Texas Virtual School Network began serving students in January 2009 with a catalog of foundation courses available for a fee. …
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Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

South Middleton School District to start H1N1 vaccination clinics next week
Carlisle Sentinel
The vaccine will be available, free of charge, to students in the South Middleton School District, as well as to home-school, cyber school and parochial …
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PMSD announces dates for H1N1 Influenza student vaccination clinics
Pocono Record
… Evergreen Community (Charter) School, cyber schools, Monsignor mchugh, Notre Dame, Pius X, or other smaller private schools as long as those students …
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PA Cyber Scores First in Northeast U.S. in Online Math Competition
PR Newswire (press release)
13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School took top school honors among 450 participating schools in the Northeast US in an online math …
See all stories on this topic

Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Georgia looks at authorizing new virtual charter schools
Georgia state education officials are considering a proposal to fund five new virtual charter schools. The would-be schools decided against seeking local funding, opting instead to make their case with the state. While supporters of online learning and expanded school choice were expected to stage a rally today outside the state capitol, members of the state school board are wrestling with policy questions including how the virtual schools should be funded and how to best meet the needs of struggling students at online schools. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free registration) (11/6)

Back to the regular Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

CUSD board hears charter proposal
Calaveras Enterprise Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:26 PM PST
The proposal would create an online virtual public school, which Salazar said would target students who are not performing well in traditional classes or are having attendance problems.

Kelso schools to open ‘Virtual Academy’
The Daily News Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:11 AM PST
Online schools are popping up all over the state and Kelso School District wants a piece of the action.

Laurel Springs School Hosts Virtual Open House for Families Interested in Online Education for Elementary, Middle and …
PRWeb via Yahoo! News Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00 AM PST
Laurel Springs Virtual Open House focuses on 21st Century Learning – What You and Your Child Need to Know.

Kelso schools to open ‘Virtual Academy’
The Daily News Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:45 PM PST
Online schools are popping up all over the state and Kelso School District wants a piece of the action.

CUSD board hears charter proposal
Calaveras Enterprise Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:14 PM PST
The proposal would create an online virtual public school, which Salazar said would target students who are not performing well in traditional classes or are having attendance problems.

Aventa Learning to Showcase Online Services for Shaping the Future of Education at iNACOL Virtual School Symposium
PRWeb Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:16 AM PST
Online Educational Services Provider Nominated for 2009 “Online Innovator Awards” to be Presented at Conference (PRWeb Nov 11, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/AventaLearning/VirtualSchoolSymposium/prweb3188024.htm

iNACOL Hosts 2009 Virtual School Symposium in Austin, Texas
redOrbit Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:14 PM PST
VIENNA, Va., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) will hold its annual conference, the Virtual School Symposium (VSS) on November 15 – 17, 2009 at the Hilton Austin.

Calgary Board of Ed to Unveil First Learning Commons
School Library Journal Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:53 PM PST
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) in Canada is revamping the role school libraries play in the lives of students by unveiling a learning commons, where books and other resources are combined with the latest technology and highly trained staff to create a virtual and physical space for teaching and learning.

Virtual charter school enrollment 1,615 students under cap, state says
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:31 AM PST
The number of students who used open enrollment to attend the state’s virtual charter schools this fall fell well short of the cap set last year by the state Legislature, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In the end, only 3,635 students enrolled in virtual charter schools for the 2009-’10 by using the state’s public school choice system, the DPI says. That’s 3,000 …

Agilix Labs Demonstrates BrainHoney at Virtual School Symposium
Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:30 AM PST
AUSTIN, Texas—-Virtual School Symposium BOOTH #7

Oregon Connections Academy Earns ‘Outstanding’ Grade
PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:29 AM PST
Oregon Connections Academy , the state’s largest virtual public school has been honored with an “Outstanding” grade – the highest possible rating — on the 2008-2009 School Report Card issued Tuesday by the Oregon Department of Education.

Oregon Connections Academy Earns “Outstanding†Grade — Highest Possible Rating — On 2008-2009 School Report Card …
PRWeb via Yahoo! News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:26 PM PST
– State’s Largest Virtual Public School Also Posts Exceptional Test Scores, Surpassing State Average and Other Statewide Virtual Schools —

Next the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber learning
The Observer Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:26 PM PST
Rio Rancho Observer ‘†Andy Jones The Rio Rancho Cyber Academy held an open house last Monday to allow members of the community a chance to tour the facility, learn about the unique educational opportunities the school offers and participate in a class on cyber safety, taught by students. Youth Leadership Sandoval County member and Cyber Academy student Adrian Gurule gets his photo taken with …

Proposed closing of Laurel Valley Middle/High School remains controversial
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00 PM PST
The debate continues in Ligonier Valley School District over the possible closing of Laurel Valley Middle/High School, with some parents promising they will put their children in cyber school if that happens.

Cyber learning
The Observer Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:41 PM PST
Rio Rancho Observer ‘†Andy Jones The Rio Rancho Cyber Academy held an open house last Monday to allow members of the community a chance to tour the facility, learn about the unique educational opportunities the school offers and participate in a class on cyber safety, taught by students. Youth Leadership Sandoval County member and Cyber Academy student Adrian Gurule gets his photo taken with …

PA Cyber Scores First in Northeast U.S. in Online Math Competition
redOrbit Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:57 AM PST
MIDLAND, Pa., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School took top school honors among 450 participating schools in the Northeast U.S. in an online math competition. Individually, two PA Cyber students placed second and third among 14,600 participants.

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Mom says virtual school was virtual waste of time, money
Atlanta Journal Constitution
The k-8 academy is the only virtual charter school in the state, operated under the umbrella of the education management company K12 Inc, the nation’s …
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Students rally for choice as charter interviews begin
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Broy said the state has concerns about virtual school funding, accountability and how they will offer special education services. On Friday, Georgia Charter …
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New director named for virtual school
Chambersburg Public Opinion
NORRISTOWN — The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School has named Joseph A. Bradley director of special education. He is a former high school principal of …
See all stories on this topic

Families react to virtual school loss
Columbia Daily Tribune
The virtual school started in 2007-08 with $5.2 million in funding and about 2000 students, expanding the next year to $5.8 million and 2500 students. …
See all stories on this topic

CUSD board hears charter proposal
Calaveras Enterprise
Trustee Sherri Reusche asked how the virtual school would complete the physical education requirements set by the state. …
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Virtual charter school landscape could grow
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By D. Aileen Dodd Representatives of five would-be virtual charter schools will file into the administrative towers of the Georgia Department of Education …
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Military to Debut Virtual School
U.S. News & World Report
The new virtual school is a bit different: It’s meant to offer a complete curriculum of courses necessary to graduate from high school. …
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Must-reads in Friday’s AJC
Atlanta Journal Constitution
How will virtual schools serve special education students? And how will these schools prevent struggling students from falling through the cybercracks? …
See all stories on this topic

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Editorial: A new course for charters
Philadelphia Inquirer
This measure was prompted in part by a dispute at the Agora Cyber Charter School in Devon. After parents there questioned a contract awarded to a management …
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Charles Darwin and the children of the evolution
Times Online
… networking site called Natural Selection’s Army and a number of related chatrooms that were later tagged by the media as the “cyber school for killers”. …
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Muhlenberg School Board wants plan for band during the day
Reading Eagle
The school board also heard about the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s to offer a cyberschool option for county school districts. The school would use …
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Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the eSchool News.

Budget cuts threaten Missouri virtual school
	Budget cuts could force Missouri’s statewide virtual school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education. Key words: Missouri virtual school, online learning, distance learning, virtual school, virtual education, iNACOL, educational technology | Read More

Next Tech & Learning eNews.

Additional Resources
• Online Education: It’s Not Just for Students

Then, the ASCD SmartBrief.

Budget cuts could close Missouri virtual school at midyear
The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, which offers courses to 1,600 students from kindergarten through high school, is in danger of closing midway through the academic year because of state budget cuts. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said the school could remain operational if parents or local districts pay the cost for students to attend. For about half of the school’s students, the virtual program is their only school. Columbia Missourian/The Associated Press (11/2)

Back to the regular Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

School goes virtual with online public schools
Lexington Clipper-Herald Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:24 PM PDT
(ARA) – More children are logging on instead of getting on the bus this season.

State budget cuts hit some students, virtually
KY3 Springfield Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02 PM PDT
The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program is designed primarily for home-school students as well as those who can’t go to traditional school.

Analysis: Budget cuts could unplug virtual school
KOAM-TV Pittsburg Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:04 AM PST
Associated Press – November 1, 2009 1:04 PM ET JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Budget cuts could force Missouri’s online school to unplug halfway through the academic year.

Advocates of MoVIP decry cuts to online school
Jefferson City News Tribune Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:16 AM PST
Students in the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program have been delayed in starting the online school program this fall. They are given a list of ideas to stay busy while the problems are fixed.

Analysis: Missouri cuts could unplug virtual school
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:56 AM PST
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Budget cuts could force a Missouri school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education. Some students, just a few credits shy of graduation, could wind up as high school dropouts.

School goes virtual with online public schools
Lexington Clipper-Herald Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:21 AM PST
(ARA) – More children are logging on instead of getting on the bus this season. <

Advocates of MoVIP decry cuts to online school
Jefferson City News Tribune Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:04 AM PST
Students in the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program have been delayed in starting the online school program this fall. They are given a list of ideas to stay busy while the problems are fixed.

Virtual high school a good fit for some
Seattle Times Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:12 AM PST
Yakima Online!, in its third year, offers an alternative to the district’s traditional, brick-and-mortar high schools and its other, more conventional, alternative programs.

Analysis: Budget cuts could unplug virtual school
Columbia Missourian Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:12 PM PST
JEFFERSON CITY — Budget cuts could force a Missouri school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education. Some students, just a few credits shy of graduation, could wind up as high school dropouts. Others, struggling with cancer, could miss their only chance to earn a degree. The school in question is the Missouri …

Budget cuts could unplug virtual school
KMOV St. Louis Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:15 PM PST
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Budget cuts could force a Missouri school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education.

Advocates of MoVIP decry cuts to online school
Jefferson City News Tribune Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:04 AM PST
Students and families affected by state budget cuts made to MoVIP, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program. (Stephen Brooks/News Tribune photo) State budget cuts are gutting MoVIP, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, which pays for close to 1,600 Missouri students to attend the online school.

Virtual school targets Plumas County
Plumas County News Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:19 AM PST
Charter School Development Systems out of Newport Beach presented its petition to Plumas Unified School District Tuesday, Oct. 13, to implement an “online e-charter school†in the district.

Advocates of MoVIP decry cuts to online school
Jefferson City News Tribune Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:21 AM PST
State budget cuts are gutting MoVIP, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, which pays for close to 1,600 Missouri students to attend the online school.

Missouri virtual school may be unplugged because of budget cuts
KFVS 12 Cape Girardeau Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:20 PM PST
Govenor Jay Nixon says he is halting state funding for an online school as part of the $204 million budget cuts.

Pearson Introduces New Middle School “Interactive Science” Curriculum
PRWeb Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:09 AM PST
Students Dig Deep into Science with Virtual Learning, Personalized “Write-in” Texts, Hands-on Labs, and Blogging (PRWeb Nov 6, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3170074.htm

CUSD board hears charter proposal
Calaveras Enterprise Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:59 AM PST
The proposal would create an online virtual public school, which Salazar said would target students who are not performing well in traditional classes or are having attendance problems.

School goes virtual with online public schools
Lexington Clipper-Herald Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:24 PM PST
(ARA) – More children are logging on instead of getting on the bus this season.

New director named for virtual school
Chambersburg Public Opinion Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:19 PM PST
NORRISTOWN — The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School has named Joseph A. Bradley director of special education. He is a former high school principal of North Star School District, Somerset County, and assistant high school principal at South Fayette School District, Allegheny County.

Families react to virtual school loss
Columbia Daily Tribune Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:06 PM PST
At the computer lab at The Greens at Columbia apartment complex off Clark Lane, school is in session.

Military to Debut Virtual School
US News & World Report Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:36 PM PST
A new online curriculum is in the works to ease school transitions for itinerant members’ children.

Nothing from the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school this week.

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Turning around bad schools with blended restarts
Huffington Post (blog)
Add about 30 state virtual schools and dozens of virtual district, contract and charter schools and you get enough capacity to teach about 3 million kids …
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H1N1 flu shots available after school
ABC Action News
The centers are set up to provide the vaccine to elementary school students, charter school students, virtual school students and students from school …
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Penn Foster Launches Virtual Yearbook
Reuters
About Penn Foster Penn Foster College, Penn Foster Career School, and Penn Foster High School are part of Penn Foster, Inc., a global leader in distance …
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Growing Number of Institutions Continue to Choose Elluminate Solutions to Meet …
Reuters
These include Bowie State University, Camosun College, Chattanooga State Community College, King Faisal University, Mississippi Virtual Public School, …
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Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Pa. charter school overhaul legislation proposed
Philadelphia Inquirer
The proposed Office of Charter and Cyber Charter Schools in the Department of Edu cation would have the authority to investigate complaints of fraud and …
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School enrollment in Beaver County continues to drop
Beaver County Times
That total includes students enrolled in Beaver County’s three charters — Pennsylvania Cyber Charter, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter and Beaver Area …
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Pa committee proposes sweeping reforms of charters
Philadelphia Inquirer
Citing The Inquirer’s reporting on fiscal abuses at area charter schools, the legislative proposal calls for the creation of an Office of Charter and Cyber …
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News: Budget Cut Could Close Virtual School

This news item was posted to the iNACOL forums a few hours ago.

Budget Cuts Could Unplug Virtual School (Missouri)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Budget cuts could force a Missouri school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education.

Some students, just a few credits shy of graduation, could wind up as high school dropouts. Others, struggling with cancer, could miss their only chance to earn a degree.

The school in question is the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, which offers Internet-based courses for everyone from kindergartners to high school seniors. The online public school began just three years ago and already has served a couple thousand students.

See entire story: http://www.bnd.com/336/story/990450.html

News Article: Virtual Learning – Online Education Now An Option For Children And Teens

I saw this in my Facebook stream earlier today.

You can link to the article online at http://www.pageturnpro.com/MediaNews-Group/9139-Education_Enrichment_Guide/index.html#1 or just download the PDF version at http://www.pageturnpro.com/user/uploaded_books/129011442785000000_Education_Enrichment_Guide.pdf (and it is on pages 11-13).