Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning 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: Philadelphia District Plans to Open Online School

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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.
See all stories on this topic »

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.
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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).
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
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 »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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, …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
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 …

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.

Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the SmartBrief for EdTech.

How blended learning can bolster foreign-language education
Blended learning can help schools improve foreign-language learning and overcome common obstacles such as limited time, resources and budgets, suggests Gail Palumbo, area chair for curriculum and instruction at the University of Phoenix Online. Online tools such as Duolingo and Imendi can supplement teacher instruction and help schools build foreign-language programs that go beyond grammar and translation, she said. eClassroom News (free registration) (4/22)

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

Study cuts before risking harm to Fla. Virtual School
Orlando Sentinel
Four years ago — in the same year that a national think tank hailed Florida Virtual School (FLVS) as a model of modern education that encouraged innovation and imitation — lawmakers hacked the statewide online public school’s budget by $21 million.
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

Fla. online school target of cuts from legislators
WRAL.com
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 …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

Sausage Love: Cole Harbour High — 3 Months Ago
Canada.com
Lifework and Moodle Virtual School portals. Staff, Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union, Halifax Regional School Board and Student email and Admin Login. Calendar, Skills Awareness form. PDF downloads. Joomla. MicroSoft Exchange. (hacked Jan 28, 2013) …
See all stories on this topic »

Flaws found at online education provider wooing Maine
Press Herald
Data provided by the company, it said, showed that all teachers employed in K12′s virtual school for the Orlando-area district were certified to teach in the state. K12, the nation’s largest online education company, and the school district each …
See all stories on this topic »

CUSD 200 asks for families’ help in rejecting virtual charter school proposal
Suburban Life Publications
… lack of extracurricular opportunities and graduation rate, based on K12 Inc.’s previous performance. Also, if students enroll in the virtual school, they will be ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities in the district. Previous …
See all stories on this topic »

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 …
See all stories on this topic »

Florida education news: Parent trigger, top teachers, virtual schooling and more
Tampabay.com (blog)
BEST TEACHERS: Low-achieving Miami-Dade students are less likely to get top teachers than their high achieving peers, BET reports. ONLINE CUTBACKS: Florida Virtual School faces a funding reduction of close to 14 percent as lawmakers seek to spread …
See all stories on this topic »

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Send to Kindle
Go Lackawanna
DICKSON CITY: Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA), a K-12 public cyber school, is hosting an information session at 6:30 pm on April 29 at the Holiday …

Albert Gallatin school board candidates address AYP, cyber school …
Uniontown Herald Standard
Dunham also railed against the mandates for cyber charter school funding, which he said is siphoning more than $1 million from the Albert Gallatin Area …

Agora Cyber Charter School Now Enrolling Students for 2013-2014 …
Sacramento Bee
By Agora Cyber Charter School WAYNE, Pa., April 25, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, public cyber school, …

Agora Cyber Charter School Now Enrolling Students for 2013-2014 …
DigitalJournal.com
WAYNE, Pa., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Agora Cyber Charter School (Agora), a state-accredited, public cyber school, has opened enrollment for students …

C-SPAN to air PA Cyber student’s winning video
DigitalJournal.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — C-SPAN will air a national award-winning video by Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School student …

Bethel Park wants reform for cyber and charter school funding
McMurray Almanac
By Susan Schmeichel Members of the Bethel Park School Board are urging residents to contact their state legislators about the way charter and cyber charter …

C-SPAN to air PA Cyber student’s winning video
Sacramento Bee
Jake Corman and PA Cyber school officials are to be on hand to congratulate Alan and his parents, Ed and Ginger Shimp of State College.

Harrisburg School District has ‘shared risk’ recovery plan
Central Penn Business Journal
Veno also wants to expand the district’s cyber school. He is not calling for any furloughs or school closings, but he does want to immediately reorganize …

Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Superintendents advocate for digital education
USA Today (4/11)

Ariz. Education Department backs retired justice’s Web-based civics educational tool
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (4/18)

Also, the SmartBrief for EdTech.

In-person visits aimed at helping online students succeed
This year, the Mesa Distance Learning online program is using federal funds to pay for a traveling “mentor,” who visits the program’s most at-risk students and helps them stay on track. In the first three months, the mentor has encouraged 50 online students to return to their classes. The mentor checks whether students have been logging into classes or are falling behind, then calls and offers visits to students who need them. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model) (4/17)

Philadelphia launches new online academy
The Philadelphia school district is launching the Philadelphia Virtual Academy — an online learning option for students in grades 6-12. The virtual academy is intended to draw students who have left the district for cybercharter schools, which are more expensive for the district. The goal is for 1,000 students to enroll in the first year and 1,200 the year after, one official said. The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/18)

Fla. trims digital learning request from $400 million to $100 million
Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (tiered subscription model)/Sentinel School Zone blog (4/17)

Next, from Education Week’s Digital Directions.

Read the Ed-Tech Blogs

Check out the Digital Education blog for analysis of the technological challenges you face today.
Recent Posts:
Success of Blended Learning Depends on Innovation, Study Says

Spotlight on Credit Recovery and Online Learning

FREE! Online learning has the ability to motivate underachieving students and engage students beyond traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. In this Spotlight take a look at online credit recovery programs, see how urban districts are reexamining “seat-time” requirements, and find out how educators are using competency-based education and technology to prepare for common-core assessments.
See other Spotlights.

Upcoming Webinars

Blended Learning & Your School
Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Content provided by DreamBox Learning
Join Tom Vander Ark as he guides you through the steps to setting up blended learning in your school. Learn what questions to ask when evaluating technology and curriculum solutions and the pitfalls to avoid when developing blended learning for the elementary grades.
Click here to register for this free live event.

Ed-Tech Events

• 2013 California Executive Leadership Summit on Blended Learning
To search for more ed-tech events, visit our calendar of events.

As well, the eClassroom news.

Top News Stories

	How districts are transitioning to digital content As a concept, using digital content in the classroom is nothing new. But making the leap from using traditional print textbooks to fully integrating digital content in the classroom can be intimidating. During a webinar sponsored by the … [Read More]
	How an LMS can help with digital content integration With so many technology-based resources–such as video, eBooks, and Google Docs–now available to help teachers deliver dynamic lessons, many teachers still find it challenging to incorporate digital content seamlessly within their lessons. But some experts say that’s exactly … [Read More]

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

West suburban districts lining up against online charter school
Chicago Tribune
Proponents have said the virtual school would give families a choice and an individualized education. The flexible environment, they say, could benefit struggling students, advanced students, athletes or performers, and students with health or …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual Charter School Faces Virtual State Roadblock
Patch.com
Virtual Learning Solutions, whose plan involves contracting with the for-profit K12 Inc. to educate the students, has vowed to appeal the board’s decision to the Illinois State Charter School Commission. K12 Inc. is the nation’s largest virtual school …
See all stories on this topic »

Dan Webster: Virtual school puts Florida on cutting edge of digital learning
Orlando Sentinel
Lawton Chiles, which created a pilot program for a novel experiment called Florida Virtual School. The notion of children using a computer for a classroom and reporting to virtual teachers wasn’t exactly mainstream thinking in those days. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Request for virtual school denied in District 303
Kane County Chronicle
Virtual Learning Solutions, a nonprofit formed in February, wants to open the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley. It was seeking approval from 18 school districts in Kane, DeKalb, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties to enroll their students.
See all stories on this topic »

Officials: Virtual school has cost town nothing
The Recorder
GREENFIELD — The Massachusetts Virtual Academy, the district’s 3-year-old cyber school, “hasn’t cost Greenfield a penny,” according to School Committee Chairman John Lunt. Every expense — the salaries of the school’s teachers, computers sent to …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school public hearing next week
The Recorder
The Greenfield School Committee will host a public hearing during a special meeting next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the high school — two days before it will vote on a proposal for a new virtual school. On March 21, the School Committee voted 5-2 to …
See all stories on this topic »

Time running out to write virtual school proposal
The Recorder
The proposal includes a full outline of the new virtual school, which will succeed the department’s three-year-old Massachusetts Virtual Academy. The full School Committee needs to review and approve it next week and then the department will have four …
See all stories on this topic »

Florida Virtual learning bills gain momentum in Legislature
Examiner.com
Bills moving swiftly through the House and Senate are seeking to expand virtual education, both in the public school system and in higher education. One would enable out-of-state online education providers to qualify for public dollars. Another would …
See all stories on this topic »

District 300 Votes Down Charter School Proposal
Patch.com
Virtual Learning Solutions is a nonprofit group that had formed to create the charter school, but which intend to contract with K12 to educate the students. K12 is the nation’s largest virtual school company, operating 48 full-time virtual schools as …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school info meeting set Thursday
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Texas Connections Academy, a statewide virtual school for students in third through 11th grades (12th grade pending approval), will have an information session for the 2013-14 school year from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release.
See all stories on this topic »

QuickStory: Geneva School Board Rejects Online Charter School
Patch.com
Illinois Virtual Charter School @ Fox River Valley brought many of its big guns to Monday night’s School Board meeting in Geneva—including President Sharnell Jackson—but after a presentation and cordial conversation, the School District 304 Board of …
See all stories on this topic »

D202 opposes plan for online charter school
Chicago Tribune
The virtual school would serve students from 18 school districts, including Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202. It would be governed by the nonprofit Virtual Learning Solutions but managed by K12, a for-profit company that runs …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school cap passes; charter schools delayed
WRAL.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee House has approved a proposal that caps enrollment in virtual schools. The House voted 66-29 Tuesday to pass the bill that allows beginning online schools an enrollment of 1,500 with the ability to expand as long as …
See all stories on this topic »

Naperville District 203 Firmly Rejects Virtual Charter School
Patch.com
The virtual school’s leaders say the school simply provides another choice for students and parents. They point out that children all learn differently—children with special needs, children on the autism spectrum, children with behavioral issues …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school cap passes; charter schools delayed
Kingsport Times News
Virtual school cap passes; charter schools delayed. By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II, Associated Press. Published April 16th, 2013 10:47 pm. Comments. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee House has approved a proposal that caps enrollment in virtual …
See all stories on this topic »

Opinions heard once more ahead of virtual school deadline
The Recorder
The hearing took place two days before the committee will review and vote on a proposal to start a new state-authorized virtual school, which would succeed the department’s three-year virtual innovation school. The committee needs to submit the …
See all stories on this topic »

School District to host Kindergarten Roundup
Osceola News-Gazette
Parents with enrollment or Kindergarten Roundup questions are encouraged to contact their individual school. Osceola Virtual School also will be registering students beginning May 2. Registration paperwork for Osceola Virtual School can be obtained at …
See all stories on this topic »

District launches its own virtual school – Philly.com
Philly.com
The district will ask the School Reform Commission Thursday to approve a $15 million request over two years to pay for the virtual school, which would be administered by the Chester County Intermediate Unit. The unit helps administer 35 virtual schools …
See all stories on this topic »

Full school board to vote on virtual school plan
The Recorder
GREENFIELD — A subcommittee charged with drafting a proposal for a new state-authorized cyber school hopes to finish the 60-page document this morning, just hours before the full Greenfield School Committee needs to review and vote on it. After …
See all stories on this topic »

Philadelphia hopes to launch online cyber school in fall – Philly.com
Philly.com
The district will pay the Chester County IU roughly $5,700 per student enrolled in the virtual school, depending on the students’ needs. It currently pays an average of more than $10,000 per pupil enrolled in cyber charters, which must get state …

SRC votes to close Stanton School
Philly.com
But it will spend that money only if 1,000 students enroll in September and 1,200 in 2014, and the virtual school will break even if it enrolls 85 students now in cyber charters. It could net the district millions, depending on how many students sign up.
See all stories on this topic »

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Cyber school offers free lessons for preschoolers
York Dispatch
Agora Cyber Charter School, a statewide, full-time, tuition-free online public school option, will host three free early education lessons online to …

PA Cyber student wins NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award
MarketWatch
Bucking that trend are outstanding students like Calista Frederick-Jaskiewicz, 16, of Wexford, Pa., and her school, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.

Cyber charter schools a pox on public education (ESSAY)
Chambersburg Public Opinion
State Reps. Rob Kauffman and Todd Rock and state Sen. Rich Alloway claim to support public education and the taxpayers in their districts who struggle with their property tax bills. Unfortunately, their actions tell a very different story. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber school offers free lessons for preschoolers
York Dispatch
Agora Cyber Charter School, a statewide, full-time, tuition-free online public school option, will host three free early education lessons online to celebrate Week of the Young Child (April 14-20) and help parents determine if online education could be …
See all stories on this topic »

PA Cyber student wins NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award
Sacramento Bee
Bucking that trend are outstanding students like Calista Frederick-Jaskiewicz, 16, of Wexford, Pa., and her school, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. Calista, a PA Cyber student since kindergarten, is one of 35 young women in the U.S. to receive …
See all stories on this topic »

Charter reform sought by Seneca Valley
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Seneca Valley school board members want to reform Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law, and they want the public to join their quest. Board members plan to vote on a resolution Monday calling for the state Legislature to make changes to the law that …
See all stories on this topic »

SRC to vote this week on $15 million for new cyber school
Philadelphia Public School Notebook
The District plans to release more details later this week, but Superintendent William Hite has spoken in the past of starting a cyber school in an effort …

LHSD candidates weigh in on cyber schools and AYP
Uniontown Herald Standard
Candidates for Laurel Highlands School Board are talking tough about two issues impacting school districts statewide – cyber charter schools and …

Pennsylvania’s education debate must focus on kids, parents
Lebanon Daily News
The catch – and an issue surrounding the state’s school funding formulas – is that … charter and cyber charter school extraordinary enrollment supplement; …

PA Cyber Charter School plans open houses statewide
MarketWatch
MIDLAND, Pa., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is hosting open houses at its offices across the commonwealth …

PA Cyber Charter School plans open houses statewide
SYS-CON Media
By PR Newswire MIDLAND, Pa., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is hosting open houses at its offices across …

PA Cyber Charter School plans open houses statewide
Sacramento Bee
By PA Cyber Charter School MIDLAND, Pa., April 16, 2013 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is hosting open houses at its …

New Florence girl advocates for cyber schools at state hearing
Tribune-Review
“I felt like I was able to put a face on what cyber school was like for some … “Cyber school was really important to me. It made a huge impact on my life …

Philadelphia School District To Open Cyber School
KYW Newsradio
By Mike DeNardo PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia school district plans to open its own online cyber school this fall. The cash-strapped district pays …

Bethel Park calling for cyber and charter school funding reform
McMurray Almanac
Tom Corbett eliminated cyber school reimbursements from the state budget in the 2011-2012 school year. According to the Pennsylvania State Education …

Mobile Learning On The Interwebs

Note that this week will be the last post for the Mobile Learning on the Interwebs feature.

Beginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

District opts for iPads over updating PCs
In Pittsburgh, educators say a move about one year ago to invest in iPads, rather than update old desktop computers, has paid off. Students are using the iPads and are enjoying learning, say teachers who use the devices in classroom lessons, to administer tests online and as rewards for students. About two dozen schools in the district now have iPads, and officials also expect to make all schools wireless by the end of the summer. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/8)

Also the SmartBrief for EdTech.

Principal: Every school will soon have a mobile application
Stenette Byrd, principal of Smithfield High School in Smithfield, Va., predicts that every school will have its own mobile application in the next few years. Byrd’s school launched its own app, using SchoolInfoApp, at the start of the 2012-13 school year. The application saved the school $2,000 in printing costs by offering its student handbook digitally, and the program also helps the school raise money through in-app sponsors, Byrd reports. EdTech magazine (4/2013)

Schools in Tenn. district selected to begin one-to-one technology programs
The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration) (4/5)

Mobile computer lab brings technology to students
CNN (4/5)

How to launch successful one-to-one technology programs
To successfully launch one-to-one technology programs, Monica Burns, an educator and blogger, suggests several practices she uses in her own classroom where students use iPads. In this blog post, she suggests teachers have a system in place to organize and manage the devices, set clear expectations, and start small — perhaps by having some tech-savvy students try out an application before introducing it to the rest of the class. She also recommends beginning by introducing technology to a typical classroom activity, such as taking notes, rather than trying to launch new activities. Edutopia.org/Monica Burns’ blog (4/10)

Tablet computers are taking off in Minneapolis-area classrooms
One-to-one technology is taking hold in classrooms in the Minneapolis area, so much so that Jeff Noyes, a teacher on special assignment for technology integration at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota, said he expects school computer labs will be dismantled within the next few years in favor of handheld devices, such as tablet computers. The school is one of many in the region using iPads and other tablets as teaching tools — a trend that educators say has helped to enhance teaching and learning while cutting costs. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (4/9)

N.H. middle-school students develop health-safety app
As part of one New Hampshire school’s efforts to boost student interest in science, technology, engineering and math, students were encouraged to compete in a national-level mobile-application contest. A group of eighth-graders met the call by designing an app that can be programmed to alert consumers to the presence of allergens simply by scanning the bar code on the product. The team is one of 10 winners of the Verizon Innovative App Challenge. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (4/9)

Back to the regular Google News alert for mobile learning.

Rural students get a first-hand experience of different occupations
The Star Online
The impressive Pintar Mobile Learning Unit (PMLU) bus rumbles from one school to another to allow students to try their hand at what it is like to be a chef, doctor, pilot, photographer or athlete. The 40-seater school bus has been converted to fit …
See all stories on this topic »

Senior Bowl to hold Family Fun Day in Fairhope on Saturday
The Huntsville Times – al.com
The Mobile Learning Adventure helps children 5 and younger explore their career dreams and highlights the importance of early education. With two touch-screen kiosks, the exhibit has activities for the youngsters and their parents, including “When I …
See all stories on this topic »

Tech-savvy students demand more mobile tools
Stuff.co.nz
“Students are increasingly demanding mobile learning,” she said. “They are very comfortable using smartphones and tablets and find the flexibility and ability to share resources and collaborate on projects really engaging. “There is a clear …
See all stories on this topic »

Next, the Google blog alert for mobile learning.

Limelight on Mobile Learning | Harvard International Review
By lli
Mobile apps and tablets have assumed a prominent position in the landscape of technology use in education and training, as anticipated by the EDUCAUSE 2012 Horizon Report. With mobile phone subscriptions totaling around six billion, …
Harvard International Review

Finally, the Google Web alert for mobile learning.

12 Excellent New Web Tools for Teachers – Educational Technology …
Educational Technology and Mobile Learning · Home · Site Map · All Resources · Posters · iPad Resources · Teacher Guides · YouTube 4 Teachers · Teacher …
www.educatorstechnology.com/…/12-excellent-new-web-tools…

Mobile Learning – using iPads and Co. in education – MEDEAnet
32 participants to Austrian MEDEAnet Workshop on ‘Mobile Learning – using iPads and Co. in education’ in March. Submitted Thursday, 4 April, 2013 – 12:13 …
www.medeanet.eu/…/32-participants-austrian-medeanet-works…

Mobile Learning – Here & Now | mLearning PoV Paper | Whitepaper
This FREE Mobile Learning Quick Start Guide is meant for training companies unsure about when to use, how to design & implement Mobile Learning in a …
info.upsidelearning.com/whitepaper-mobile-learning-here-and…

Mobile Learning Solutions with Storyline – E-Learning Heroes
One recurrent question here on the forums has to do with how to approach mobile learning design. I think that one type of navigation that can work really well on …
community.articulate.com/forums/t/28530.aspx

Mobile Learning
Explore, play and be inspired by permanent exhibits, which include more than 60 animals native to Ohio. Located in Dayton.
www.boonshoftmuseum.org/programs…/-/mobile-learning

Free Webinar: The Hottest Trends in Mobile Learning
How are mobile and wireless technologies going to impact learning and performance? In this free webinar, The Hottest Trends in Mobile Learning, mLearning …
elearningindustry.com/free-webinar-the-hottest-trends-in-mobi…

Announcing #23mobilethings: Global Mobile Learning 2.0 « Tame …
The Horizon Report, from EDUCAUSE and the New Media Consortium, has ranked mobile …
tametheweb.com/…/announcing-23mobilethings-global-mobil…

Mobile Learning – SumTotal Systems
Enterprise & Extended Enterprise; Mobile Learning (on- and off-line); Regulatory Compliance; Social Collaboration; Content Management; Content Versioning …
www.geolearning.com/enterprise/

ADL Mobile Learning Team Seeking Responses to MoTIF Survey …
ADL’s Mobile Learning Team seeks your input on this short survey to help design learning solutions for the next generation. Survey closes April 26, 2013.
floatlearning.com/…/adl-mobile-learning-team-seeking-respon…

BioBlitz – Mobile Learning
BioBlitz is an annual gathering of students, teachers and scientists to take inventory of a unique …
news.verizonwireless.com/…/bioblitz-connects-student-scientist…

Leading a Multiple Project Mobile Learning Initiative: The Approach …
In 2011, the task force submitted a proposal titled “Mobile-Learning for Boise State: A Proposal to Catalyze Transformation in Teaching and Learning.
www.educause.edu/…/leading-multiple-project-mobile-learnin…

ADL Mobile Learning Newsletter #143 – 8 April 2013
The Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative has …
research.adlnet.gov/newsletter/mobile/04082013.htm

Five Questions with Tannis Morgan: Mobile Learning » BCcampus
The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) has been focusing its attention on several innovative mobile learning initiatives, successfully creating one app …
www.bccampus.ca/five-questions-with-tannis-morgan-mobile-…

Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Do educators have a proper understanding of blended learning?
A recent study into “blended learning” methods says many educators do not grasp that it goes beyond adding devices to the traditional classroom, Rob Bock writes in this blog post. True blended learning, as described by think tank the Lexington Institute, requires constant innovation and change based on the collection of student achievement data — rather than simply adding technology to traditional teaching methods. Education Week/Digital Education blog (4/11)

Fla. officials to study funding online courses, make recommendations to lawmakers
StateImpact/Florida (4/10)

Next, the SmartBrief for EdTech.

Fla. bill would expand virtual learning to out-of-state providers
Florida lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allow students to take courses from online providers in other counties and states. These virtual companies then could seek funding from the state, rather than through contracts with local school districts. Supporters say these changes would place the state on the leading edge of 21st-century learning and expand student choice, but opponents counter that they serve to privatize public education. The Miami Herald (free registration) (4/6)

Also the ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief.

Can online instruction transform education in India?
While education in India has remained largely unchanged, there are early indicators that online learning could be making inroads in the country, suggests Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, executive editor of Mint. In India, where there has been a historic focus on physical infrastructure and students in some parts of the country lack necessary resources, Rajadhyaksha writes in this opinion piece about the possibility of online education. LiveMint.com/The Wall Street Journal (India) (4/6)

Funding for distance learning reduced under Alberta budget
In Alberta, Canada, more than 53,000 students in high school, junior-high and elementary school participated in distance learning last year — a number that some say could decline under a budget approved in March that reduces funding for distance-learning programmes by 56%. Officials with the province, however, say that the programme was receiving too much funding and that distance-learning programmes will remain available. Calgary Herald (Alberta) (10 Apr.)

Next, Education Week’s Industry and Innovation.

VIEWPOINTS

What Sort of Research Should We Be Doing on Blended Learning?
Several key approaches to consider when conducting research on blended learning models. (Vander Ark on Innovation Blog)

I&I DATA POINT

A new report by the Southern Regional Education Board tracks the changing trends in online learning.

EDUCATION WEEK SPOTLIGHT<

Spotlight on Credit Recovery and Online Learning
FREE! Online learning has the ability to motivate underachieving students and engage students beyond traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. In this Spotlight, take a look at online credit recovery programs, see how urban districts are reexamining “seat-time” requirements, and find out how educators are using competency-based education and technology to prepare for common-core assessments.
See other Spotlights.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Refining School System Approaches to Blended Learning
Friday, April 12, 2013, 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Sponsored by Edgenuity
In this webinar, two experts with direct experience in introducing and developing school-system blended-learning initiatives will address the infrastructural challenges involved in such projects, offering lessons learned on project scope, technology implementation, professional development, and curriculum integration. They will also explore possible future directions for blended-learning models.
Click here to register for this free live event.

Blended Learning & Your School
Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Content Provided by DreamBox Learning
Join Tom Vander Ark as he guides you through the steps to setting up blended learning in your school. Learn what questions to ask when evaluating technology and curriculum solutions and the pitfalls to avoid when developing blended learning for the elementary grades.
Click here to register for this free live event.

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

Virtual school proposal taking shape
The Recorder
GREENFIELD — The school district’s innovation subcommittee intends to apply for a five-year certificate for a new state-authorized virtual school that would use the Internet to serve as many as 1,750 students across the state by 2017. Subcommittee …
See all stories on this topic »

My Turn: The virtual school
The Recorder
In the column by Chris Collins (March 29) titled “Virtual school details lacking,” he is critical of the associate commissioner, Jeff Wulfson, for being unsure of the “finer points” on how the new Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual Learning Solutions Slams Local School Boards in 1080-Page Response
Patch.com
In response to an audience-written query about the proposed Fox Valley K-12 virtual school, Grosso said he found it curious that, for an Internet-based company with experts in the technology field, Virtual Charter Schools was slow and conventional in …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual learning bills gain momentum in Florida Legislature
MiamiHerald.com
The state-funded Florida Virtual School is by far the biggest, offering more than 120 online courses to about 130,000 students. Some school districts also contract with private online education companies. Those providers, however, do not receive direct …
See all stories on this topic »

Will virtual school become reality in D-300?
Northwest Herald
Virtual Learning companies are being considered in many Illinois school districts. Those districts, statewide government watchdogs and education associations fear the proposed online charter schools will divert precious tax dollars from public schools …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school proposal taking shape
The Recorder
GREENFIELD — The school district’s innovation subcommittee intends to apply for a five-year certificate for a new state-authorized virtual school that would use the Internet to serve as many as 1,750 students across the state by 2017. Subcommittee …
See all stories on this topic »

My Turn: The virtual school
The Recorder
In the column by Chris Collins (March 29) titled “Virtual school details lacking,” he is critical of the associate commissioner, Jeff Wulfson, for being unsure of the “finer points” on how the new Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual schools for children
Derbyshire Times
They will be responsible for setting up a virtual school with a teacher from every Derbyshire school designated to provide support and mentoring to boost attainment. Led by the virtual head, these designated teachers would work together to ensure …
See all stories on this topic »

D203 board frustrated by virtual charter school proposal
Chicago Tribune
The Illinois Virtual Charter School @ Fox River Valley would span 18 districts. It would be governed by the nonprofit Virtual Learning Solutions and managed by K12 Inc., a for-profit company that runs similar schools around the country, including one …
See all stories on this topic »

School board candidates weigh in on virtual schools, enrollments
Kane County Chronicle
CHARLES – Five of the eight St. Charles school board candidates on Wednesday night addressed topics such as declining enrollment and virtual schools during a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County. Tuesday, voters will …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual Learning Solutions Slams Local School Boards in 1080-Page Response
Patch.com
In response to an audience-written query about the proposed Fox Valley K-12 virtual school, Grosso said he found it curious that, for an Internet-based company with experts in the technology field, Virtual Charter Schools was slow and conventional in …
See all stories on this topic »

Free college credits at virtual high school
Springfield News Sun
The Warren County Educational Service Center — through a new relationship with Clark State Community College in Springfield — will offer college-level online courses to students enrolled in the Greater Ohio Virtual School (GOVS). The online high …
See all stories on this topic »

‘Virtual head’ for schools
The Star
Derbyshire County Council said the teacher, which is an actual person, will set up a ‘virtual school’ with a teacher from every county school designated to help provide support and mentoring to boost attainment. They would work together to ensure …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual learning bills gain momentum in Legislature
Tampabay.com (blog)
A student sees her schedule as a full time 11th grade student of the Florida Virtual School, which offers more than 120 online courses to about 130,000 students. TALLAHASSEE — Florida schoolchildren and college students will soon have greater access …
See all stories on this topic »

D303 Board Faces Decision on Virtual Charter School
Patch.com
K12 is the nation’s largest virtual school company, operating 48 full-time virtual schools as of July 2012. The proposal also has proven a campaign issue among the candidates for four St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Board of Education …
See all stories on this topic »

Online classes likely to become more common
The Decatur Daily
According to data collected by the Southern Regional Education Board, it’s so popular among the 16 Southern states that 15 of them have sponsored a state-run virtual school, with 11 of them having done so for six years or more. Alabama is among those …
See all stories on this topic »

Request for virtual school denied in District 303
Kane County Chronicle
CHARLES – The St. Charles School District 303 board Monday unanimously denied a virtual school proposal from Illinois Virtual Learning Solutions. “I don’t know how any [students] would be better served by this program,” Vice President Kathy Hewell said.
See all stories on this topic »

Kaneland votes against virtual school proposal
Kane County Chronicle
SUGAR GROVE – Kaneland School District 302 board officials Monday voted against a charter school proposal by the Illinois Virtual School at Fox River Valley, citing that several statutory components of the proposal had not been met. Virtual Learning …
See all stories on this topic »

Districts U-46, 300 deny virtual charter school proposal
Chicago Daily Herald
In public hearings, Virtual Learning Solutions representatives said the virtual school would not work for everyone. But they did stress the point that the school would be able to serve all students, including those whose primary language is not English …
See all stories on this topic »

QuickStory: Geneva School Board Rejects Online Charter School
Patch.com
Jackson and and handful of other virtual-school administrators and educators stressed that the charter school is a non-profit entity, governed by a board of directors just as the Geneva School Board represents School District 304. K12 Inc., the for …
See all stories on this topic »

La. Connections Academy to hold information session April 16 in Baker
Zachary Plainsman
Louisiana Connections Academy will host free parent information sessions to fulfill a growing number of requests for information about the virtual school program. Parents and others seeking more information about Louisiana Connections Academy can call …
See all stories on this topic »

Officials: Virtual school has cost town nothing
The Recorder
As Greenfield school officials hurriedly draft a proposal for a new virtual school — a semi-independent, state-supervised Internet school to succeed the one the school department has run for the past three years — some local residents, Town …
See all stories on this topic»

Time running out to write virtual school proposal
The Recorder
The proposal includes a full outline of the new virtual school, which will succeed the department’s three-year-old Massachusetts Virtual Academy. The full School Committee needs to review and approve it next week and then the department will have four …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school info meeting set Thursday
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Texas Connections Academy, a statewide virtual school for students in third through 11th grades (12th grade pending approval), will have an information session for the 2013-14 school year from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release.
See all stories on this topic »

Naselle strives to save virtual school
Chinook Observer
Naselle strives to save virtual school. Even as new honor comes to district, governor’s budget threatens to put key funding source at risk. Story · Comments. Print: Create a hardcopy of this page; Font Size: Default font size: Larger font size. Posted …
See all stories on this topic »

Senate Seeking Compromise On Funding For Online Classes
StateImpact Florida
A Senate committee is attempting to defuse a funding dispute between the state-sponsored Florida Virtual School and private online providers. Tuesday, the Rules Committee added an amendment to an online education bill asking the Florida Department of …
See all stories on this topic »

Charter School Group Will Appeal Decisions of School Districts That Vote it Down
Patch.com
Virtual Learning Solutions is a nonprofit group that had formed to create the charter school, but which intends to contract with K12 to educate the students. K12 is the nation’s largest virtual school company, operating 48 full-time virtual schools as …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual school public hearing next week
The Recorder
Members Maryelen Calderwood and Francia Wisnewski, who both voted against drafting a proposal, said that the hearing will increase transparency and give the public a chance to make comments before the virtual school proposal is sent to the state.
See all stories on this topic »

PreK-12 Online Course Market Forecast 2013
Sacramento Bee
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 …
See all stories on this topic »

State lawmakers to put online charter schools on standby
Kane County Chronicle
While the nonprofit Illinois Virtual Learning Solutions would govern the virtual school, it has said actual operations for the school would be handled by Virginia-based, for-profit company K12 Inc. The virtual school concept is in place in other states …
See all stories on this topic »

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Hybrid learning coming to Scranton
Scranton Times-Tribune
The amount each school district pays per student varies. Cyber charters are public schools that are free for families and provide laptops, textbooks and …

School district’s deficit raises queries
GoErie.com
Special education and cyber school costs are also expected to rise. Cyber school costs were omitted altogether in prior budgets, Hall said.

Charter school reform needs to put students, not special interests, first: As …
PennLive.com
Cyber charter schools are meeting unique needs in public education—needs defined by 38,000 parents who view cyber schooling as the best, and sometimes only, alternative for their children. Parents, better than anyone, know when they see failure and …
See all stories on this topic »

Hybrid learning coming to Scranton
Scranton Times-Tribune
Cyber charters are public schools that are free for families and provide laptops, textbooks and other materials necessary to learn. Penn Foster will offer services to the district at $800 per student. The district will need to provide the computers and …
See all stories on this topic »

Cyber charter schools a pox on public education (ESSAY)
Chambersburg Public Opinion
Franklin County school districts will spend more than $5.3 million in tuition payments so that about 600 children in Franklin County may attend cyber …

Charter reform sought by Seneca Valley
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
By Laure Cioffi Seneca Valley school board members want to reform Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law, and they want the public to join their quest.