Virtual Schooling in the News

First from my ASCD SmartBrief for June 6, 2006 (see http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dLxAgmosvStubFHXJn).

Cyberschool serves California students
The California Virtual Academies nonprofit provides its 3,500 K-9 students Internet connectivity, a computer, printer, software and access to a credentialed teacher available online and by phone. The virtual public charter school can spend more on each student than traditional schools do because it has no facility costs. Los Angeles Daily News (6/5)

Oregon online school ends first year amid controversy
Critics complain that the student-teacher ratio at Oregon Connections Academy is 50-1 and that the large cyberschool is run by a for-profit private company. However, demand has been so great that enrollment could double this coming school year. The Oregonian (Portland) (6/7)

Next from Distance-Educator.com, Inc.

Distance Learning May Be Closer
Source: timesobserver.com

The future may be now for “distance learning” classrooms in the Warren County School District.http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14913.phtml

High School Students Filling Their Heads With Cyberspace
Source: journal-news.com

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — Eight hundred Butler County students were able to earn high school credit during the 2005-2006 school year through Butler Tech Online. Available through Butler Tech, the program is about to complete its third year.http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14907.phtml

From my Yahoo news alert for virtual school.

Elgin teen mixes career and school thanks to online learning
CentralOhio.com Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:10 AM PDT

MARION - When his sports career started to conflict with school work, Tim Hollenbeck decided to take his schooling to the virtual world. The professional dirt bike racer is now celebrating his success as he graduates from TRECA Digital Academy with a high grade point average.

By Laura Jansen Staff Reporter
Maple Ridge News Sat, 03 Jun 2006 9:27 AM PDT

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The district will expand the online program it already offers with courses available from Garibaldi and Pitt Meadows secondary schools, as well as the community education office.

Virtual classroom comes into home
Los Angeles Daily News Mon, 05 Jun 2006 0:09 AM PDT

SANTA CLARITA - More homes may be turned into satellite public schools if parents buy into a program that lets them teach the lessons themselves. Though the children are taught at home, the program is not considered home-schooling.

Virtual school offers free second chance
Lawrence Journal-World Tue, 06 Jun 2006 7:50 AM PDT

More than 475 area students are expected to take advantage of a summer program that gives them a second shot at failed courses. The school was host to a similar session Monday.

Regional News Briefs
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Mon, 05 Jun 2006 9:33 PM PDT

Union appeals virtual-school ruling The state's largest teachers union has appealed a judge's ruling...

Web school draws pupils, critics
The Oregonian Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:03 AM PDT

SCIO -- The state's biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.

New online summer school is a hit with Wilson students
Tennessean Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:15 AM PDT

With morning football practice, a night job and a failing grade in English, Greg Thompson has a lot going on. If he didn't live in Wilson County, this rising high school senior might have to choose between the pigskin and summer school to graduate on time.

Web School Draws Pupils, Critics
RedNova Wed, 07 Jun 2006 5:20 PM PDT

By Steven Carter, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. Jun. 7--SCIO -- The state's biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.

Virtual excursions expand horizons
The Mining Journal Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:07 AM PDT

MARQUETTE — Students of the Marquette Alternative High School recently took a hike across Isle Royale, walked on the battlegrounds of Gettysburg and took a snowmobile tour through the Upper Peninsula — all without leaving their classroom.

Moving to the Google news Alert for virtual school.

Editorial: Charter school plans are innovative
Sheboygan Press - Sheboygan,WI,USA

... Two seek to integrate the arts into the curriculum at the elementary and high school levels. Another emphasizes online learning almost like a virtual school. ...

Virtual classroom comes into home
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA

... Thirty-five hundred kindergartners through ninth-graders attend the virtual school statewide. They are taught by 170 teachers, at ...

District to expand virtual school
Maple Ridge News - BC, Canada

By Laura Jansen. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The ...

EDITORIAL: In the year of our technology: Report on status and ...
TMCnet - USA

... It also wisely suggests the state's Virtual School be fully funded separately from the state school aid formula so more money for technology does not cut ...

Virtual School graduates first four-year student
Monroe Times - Monroe,WI,USA

... It also held some importance because she's the first four-year graduate of the Monroe Virtual Charter School, if not the first four-year virtual school grad in ...

Florida Virtual School Students Win International Diplomacy ...
NewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USA

Leveraging technology, an innovative learning initiative and a passion to build a better global community, three Florida Virtual School (www.FLVS.net) students ...

Webcasts alter learning dynamics
Whistler Question - B.C., Canada

... George. He is the president of the Virtual School Society, a group working to improve and promote electronic courses for BC students. ...

New 'virtual school' could start next year
Skieston Standard Democrat - Sikeston,MO,USA

... Matt Blunt would create a “virtual school” for Missouri students through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and state Board of ...

Finally, the Google new Alert for cyber school.

Linking Midland to the arts
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

... leaving the state. But like all charter schools, the cyber school was open to other Pennsylvania kids as well. The result is well ...

School to offer diverse education
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

... The school will create an individual educational plan for each student, custom designing course work out of the cyber school's catalog. ...

Schools seek lesson on cyber bullies
The Desert Sun - Palm Springs,CA,USA

... With "cyber bullies" now an increasing reality, school officials are taking notice and looking at their options for disciplining students who harass and ...

Cyber school begets an education empire
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

... time employees and a $4.4 million budget. The cyber school alone has about 4,400 students, 400 employees and a $30 million budget. ...

Franklin pitches new cyber plan
News-Herald - Franklin,PA,USA

... Area School District officials as they explore the possibility of teaming up with Beaver Area School District to offer students a local cyber school option. ...

Cybersecurity contests go national
Register - London,England,UK

... of students from ten different Iowa high schools faced exactly that scenario during a single night in late May in the High School Cyber Defense Competition. ...

Cyber school is part of an intricate web
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

... Dr. Trombetta is looking at an educational model in which a cyber school teacher working in a classroom in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center -- of which ...

Tags: virtual school, cyber school, high school, education