Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with Education Week’s Teacher Update.

+ Chicago Schools to Use Online Classes Supervised by Nonteachers

In an effort to extend what is one of the nation’s shortest school days, Chicago Public Schools plans to add 90 minutes to the schedules of 15 elementary schools using online courses and nonteachers, sources said.

Back to the Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Oregon Board of Education tackles parent choice and virtual schools
The Oregonian Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:06 PM PDT
Fewer than one percent of Oregon students are enrolled in online public schools. But for nearly five years, the funding, quality and financial management of these virtual schools have been dominating conversation in State Capitol hearing rooms and school district…

New help for home schoolers
Highland Community News Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:06 AM PDT
Parents from throughout Southern California are discovering a new opportunity to combine home schooling with the resources of public education through Carden Virtual Academy, a charter school opening Sept. 7 in San Bernardino.

Virtual school set to open
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:24 PM PDT
CHINO HILLS – The school formerly known as Los Serranos Elementary will soon open as Chino Valley Unified s first online school.

First class set for Virtual Academy
Forsyth County News Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:05 AM PDT
On Aug. 30, 148 students will boldly go where few of them have learned before – home. The middle and high school students enrolled in the iAchieve Virtual Academy will get a Forsyth County public education without having to leave their houses. Lunchtime will be whenever they’re hungry and there is no dress code. But the school district’s latest alternative education concept is not for everyone …

Canyon News – Virtual High School Starts This Fall
Canyon News Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:01 AM PDT
WEST HOLLYWOOD/LOS ANGELES — In the fall, Los Angeles will commence operation of its first completely “Virtual High School.” The school will cater to 9 th and 10 th graders, and a K-12 online institution is in the works for the near future. Over 650 students have already enrolled.

Calvert Partners Provides Virtual School Option to North East Florida Educational Consortium School Districts
redOrbit Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:52 PM PDT
BALTIMORE, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Calvert Partners is delighted to announce an innovative alliance that will provide a K-5 virtual school program to nine member school districts and three participating districts of the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC). The consortium is a regional, non-profit, educational service agency established to provide cooperative services to …

Thousands Of Local Students Taking Virtual Classes
WFTV 9 Orlando Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:51 AM PDT
Monday was the first day of school for thousands of students across Central Florida. The last six districts, including Orange, Lake and Osceola counties, were back in session and students were learning of some big changes.

Ohio Virtual Academy Students Begin 2010 e-School Year
PR Newswire via Yahoo! News Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:49 AM PDT
Enrollment Still Open for New Students

Panel weighs virtual schools
The Register-Guard Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:29 AM PDT
PORTLAND — Fewer than one percent of Oregon students are enrolled in online public schools. But for nearly five years, the funding, quality and financial management of these virtual schools have been dominating conversation in State Capitol hearing rooms and school district board rooms. This week, the state Board of …

Oregon education board tackles virtual schools
KGW NewsChannel 8 Portland Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:15 PM PDT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Even though fewer than one percent of students in Oregon are enrolled in online public schools, the funding, quality and financial management of these virtual classrooms have dominated conversation in State Capitol hearing rooms and school district board rooms. The Oregon Board of Education is taking a small step toward resolving one of the thorniest questions — who decides …

Virtual courses offered by Summit Pointe
Battle Creek Enquirer Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:23 AM PDT
A program geared toward students who were unsuccessful in traditional classrooms that was canceled due to funding challenges will continue to be offered to students this school year.

Council aims to keep youth in North Dakota
The Fargo Forum Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:20 PM PDT
Recommendations include improving academic advising, creating ‘virtual high school’ BISMARCK – North Dakota teens and college students should see the benefits of a long list of recommendations aimed at making the state more attractive to them.  Talk about this topic

State Education Board Tackles Virtual Schools
KEZI 9 Eugene Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:55 PM PDT
The Oregon Board of Education continues debating a big question: Who is the authority to decide whether a child can attend an online only school? read more

Hilton Head students to join international virtual school
Island Packet Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:06 PM PDT
A virtual, Christian school based on Hilton Head Island will welcome its first class of students nex

Ventura’s Golden Valley Virtual Charter School Awarded Full Accreditation from Prestigious Western Association of …
Business Wire Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:07 PM PDT
VENTURA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Golden Valley Virtual Charter School (GVVCS), an online public school operated by Golden Valley Charter Schools in partnership with online learning provider Advanced Academics, announced today that it has received full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Schools. “Golden Valley Virtual Charter …

InnerPass Enables Students, Teacher at Leading Virtual High School
Business Wire Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:50 AM PDT
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–InnerPass and Minnesota Virtual High School partner to deliver distance learning to students across the state in grades 6-12

14 Missouri teachers sue over virtual schools cuts
KSPR Springfield Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:50 AM PDT
A lawsuit filed in Boone County asserts several dozen teachers were laid off last year despite having contracts guaranteeing them jobs for longer. The teachers worked for an online public school that covers all grades.

Virtual School year begins
ABC 4 Salt Lake City Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:14 PM PDT
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News)Two thousand Utah students went back to class this week without ever leaving home. Utah’s first virtual charter school is in session.

Fourteen teachers sue over Missouri virtual schools cuts
Columbia Missourian Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:14 PM PDT
JEFFERSON CITY — Fourteen teachers are suing over state budget cuts that cost them their jobs with Missouri’s virtual schools program. A lawsuit filed in Boone County asserts several dozen teachers were laid off last year despite having contracts guaranteeing them jobs for longer. The teachers worked for an online public school that covers all grades. The layoffs came after state funds were cut …

Nevada Virtual Academy Students Prepare to Head Back to School
redOrbit Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:09 PM PDT
Enrollment Still Open to New Students for the Upcoming School Year LAS VEGAS, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On Monday, August 30, Nevada Virtual Academy (NVVA) students will head back to school. But you won’t see the traditional buses or backpacks, instead these students will power up their computers and log on back to school from their own homes for the official start of the 2010-2011 …

Online Students at California Virtual Academies Begin the 2010-2011 School Year
redOrbit Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:09 PM PDT New Students Can Still Enroll for the Upcoming School Year! SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On Monday, August 30, online students attending California Virtual Academies (CAVA) will log on back to school. Founded in 2002, the California Virtual Academies are a network of online charter schools serving students in grades K-12 throughout the state. CAVA offers a quality …

State Board of Education places virtual school on probation
Tulsa World Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:34 AM PDT
The state Board of Education accredited White Oak virtual school but placed it on probation at its Thursday meeting.

Big plans for Chester students this year
The Goshen Chronicle Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:47 PM PDT
Virtual high school to be instituted this spring, By Pamela Chergotis

Ohio Connections Academy Achieves ‘Excellent’ Rating on 2009-2010 Report Card From Ohio Department of Education
redOrbit Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:23 AM PDT
CINCINNATI, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Ohio Connections Academy (OCA), a leading virtual public school, or e-school, has been designated “Excellent” by the Ohio Department of Education for achieving a value-added measure of “above expected growth” for the second consecutive year. The rating and value-added result demonstrate that students are making significant gains in academic achievement and the …

Virtual school in Oklahoma barely obtains accreditation
The Oklahoman Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:46 AM PDT
The virtual school for kindergarten through 8th grade that is run through a rural school district in northeast Oklahoma came under fire Thursday by the state Board of Education.

Katey Luckey: Virtual schooling a good fit for this family
The Capital Times Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:22 AM PDT
I am a mother of four children, two of whom are enrolled in Wisconsin Connections Academy, the state’s public K-8 virtual school. My decision to do this was based on a number of factors. My oldest son, 6, is very bright and thoughtful, but has always had difficulty in social situations. He is easily overwhelmed by crowds and tends to withdraw, and I knew he would need help and extra attention to …

District on probation over virtual school
Tulsa World Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:43 AM PDT
The state Board of Education placed White Oak school district on probation Thursday after raising concerns that of the more than 970 students enrolled in White Oak, only 51 actually attend classes in the …

Big plans for Chester students this year
The Goshen Chronicle Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:48 PM PDT
Virtual high school to be instituted this spring, By Pamela Chergotis

Next the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Many interested in new District 7 cyber high
Dearborn Press & Guide Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:35 AM PDT
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — More than two-dozen students have expressed interest in a new cyber high school being created through Dearborn Heights District 7.

The ABCs of your schools: Renovation projects top changes
Bucks County Courier Times Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:24 AM PDT
CENTENNIAL SCHOOLS – A cyber academy also will open this school year. GRAPHIC

Cyber school in its second year
Plum Advance Leader Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:59 PM PDT
When Samantha Lamorte discovered she was pregnant, she had many choices to make.  read more »

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Oregon Board of Education tackles parent choice and virtual schools
OregonLive.com
But for nearly five years, the funding, quality and financial management of these virtual schools have been dominating conversation in State Capitol hearing …
See all stories on this topic »

Virtual High School Denied
GPB
By Susanna Capelouto A virtual high school was denied a charter by the State Board of Education. (photo GPB stock) The State Board of Education today denied …
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Judge: Online Charter School Should Get Funding
KOCO Oklahoma City
That code will allow the charter school to receive funding and enroll students. The virtual school plans to begin operations on Sept. 1. …
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Virtual school set to open
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
The school’s “virtual school” model of instruction utilizes an online curriculum that students will access via the Web from home and on a personalized …
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Teachers: Lee County’s virtual school not for everyone
WZVN-TV
LEE COUNTY: A very non-traditional school hosted a large group of kids and parents for orientation Tuesday. Lee County’s all online virtual school has been …
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LA Opens First Completely On-Line Virtual High School
KTLA
The Los Angeles Virtual High School Academy is enrolling 650 9th and 10th grade students for the 2010-11 school year. LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Unified …
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Advocates Say Virtual School Lockout Still in Effect, Harming Families
Watchdog
Virtual school advocates in Wisconsin say this year’s lockout of would-be online public charter students continues to anguish hundreds of families across …
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Charter Oak Unified unveils new virtual school for K-12 students
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The Oak Knoll Virtual Academy is designed to supplement home school programs, officials said. Students are required to complete daily study assignments and …
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Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber charter schools celebrate two state victories, may get more funds
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By D. Aileen Dodd School choice took a leap forward Thursday as one state board supported the expansion of Georgia’s first cyber charter school and another …
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A decade later, Pennsylvania cyber schools go viral
Allentown Morning Call
In the decade since cyber charter schools first opened to Pennsylvania students, turning on a computer instead of hopping on the bus has just … clicked. …
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Laurel Highlands district’s online courses pass summer test
Tribune Review
With the amount of students leaving the traditional school setting to attend one of the Pennsylvania cyber schools, the district is striving to keep …
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Schools see benefits of online courses
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
In addition, the savings compared to cyber school costs are evident. She described it as “pennies on the dollar” compared to cyber-school expenses that …
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Ambridge parents upset about having to buy school supplies
Beaver County Times
School director Kevin Blanarik said Walsh could “blame Midland … that’s where the cyber school is.” Board members said that Ambridge pays $8000 per …
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