Virtual Schooling in the News

Beginning with something different eSchool News.

Virtual school a victim of its own success
An Oregon virtual charter school soon could be the victim of its own success: The Oregon Connections Academy has existed for less than two years now, but it's already on pace to become one of the largest schools in the state, with about 1,200 students so far. Yet that growth could screech to a halt in just a few years, if state lawmakers don't reconsider a bill passed in the final hours of the 200... Full Story

Then the regular Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Indiana Virtual Charter School Wins Approval Through Ball State
U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:39 AM PST

Officials at the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools announced Friday that it has approved the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS). The decision clears the way for one of the two first online K-12 public schools in Indiana, a concept that is now practiced in 18 states by 150+ virtual charter schools serving more than 65,000 students.

Virtual schools’ popularity explodes
Lawrence Journal-World Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:18 PM PST

When the Lawrence Virtual School opened in 2004, it was only the fourth such program in Kansas.

Indiana Connections Academy Approved to Open for 2007-2008 School Year
U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Mon, 05 Feb 2007 5:00 AM PST

Indiana students will have an exciting new public school alternative this fall that delivers exceptional schooling to students in a unique "school without walls." Indiana Connections Academy (INCA), Indiana's first statewide virtual charter school for students in grades K-12, was unanimously authorized by Ball State University earlier this month. INCA will immediately begin collecting names of ...

Indiana Connections Academy Approved to Open for 2007-2008 School Year
PR Web Mon, 05 Feb 2007 0:39 AM PST

Indiana Connections Academy (INCA), Indiana's first statewide virtual charter school for students in grades K-12, was unanimously authorized by Ball State University earlier this month. INCA will immediately begin collecting names of students interested in enrolling in the 700 spots available. In-person and online informational meetings to introduce INCA to Indiana families will be held beginning ...

Indiana Connections Academy Approved to Open for 2007-2008 School Year
PRWeb via Yahoo! News Mon, 05 Feb 2007 4:00 AM PST

Muncie, IN (PRWeb) February 5, 2007 -- Indiana students will have an exciting new public school alternative this fall that delivers exceptional schooling to students in a unique "school without walls.

K12 Inc. to Provide Curriculum and School Services to the New Indiana Virtual Charter School
U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Tue, 06 Feb 2007 9:27 AM PST

Following approval from the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools, the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS) became one of the first public virtual schools in Indiana, and the newest statewide virtual school to use the nationally- acclaimed curriculum and school services provided by K12 Inc.

Indiana Virtual Charter School Wins Approval Through Ball State
SYS-CON Media Mon, 05 Feb 2007 2:38 PM PST

Officials at the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools announced Friday that it has approved the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS). The decision clears the way for one of the two first online K-12 public schools in Indiana, a concept that is now practiced in 18 states by 150+ virtual charter schools serving more than 65,000 students.

Virtual Schools Scrutinized
WIBW-TV Topeka Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:23 AM PST

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ State lawmakers are taking close look at the performance of virtual schools in Kansas. They wonder how many virtual schools there are in Kansas, who attends them and what it means to ``attend'' an online school.

Large Online Charter School Hits Hurdle
KOIN News 6 Portland Tue, 06 Feb 2007 7:41 AM PST

SCIO, Ore. - The Oregon Connections Academy, a Scio-based virtual charter school, opened less than two years ago but already is on track to become one of the larger schools in the state.

Ball State Approves Two Online Charter Schools
22 WSBT South Bend Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:27 AM PST

(AP) Indiana’s largest teachers union says two new online charter schools shouldn’t be funded at the same level as traditional charter schools. Two online schools were granted charters last week by Ball State University. They are Indiana Connections Academy in Muncie and Indiana Virtual Charter School in Indianapolis.

Online schools popping up thanks to computers, subsidy for Internet connection
Post-Tribune Tue, 06 Feb 2007 2:06 AM PST

About 2,200 Hoosier students from Northwest Indiana and beyond will start school in the fall by powering on computers at home in their pajamas. Free virtual charter schools go online in August offering a hybrid between alternative education and homeschooling.

K12 Inc. to Provide Curriculum and School Services to the New Indiana Virtual Charter School
SYS-CON Media Tue, 06 Feb 2007 1:43 PM PST

Following approval from the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools, the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS) became one of the first public virtual schools in Indiana, and the newest statewide virtual school to use the nationally- acclaimed curriculum and school services provided by K12 Inc.

Virtual schools to hold information sessions tomorrow
Wausau Daily Herald Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:05 AM PST

The Wisconsin Virtual Academy and Honors High Online of Wisconsin will have two outreach events in Wausau tomorrow. The events are to encourage enrollment in public online courses. A meet and greet will be at 3 p.m. at Starbucks, 306 S. 17th Ave. and information sessions will be at 7 p.m. for the academy and 8 p.m. for the high school at Best Western Midway Hotel, 2901 Martin Ave., in Rib ...

Virtual schools scrutinized
KSHB-TV Kansas City Wed, 07 Feb 2007 1:10 AM PST

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – State lawmakers are taking close look at the performance of virtual schools in Kansas. They wonder how many virtual schools there are in Kansas, who attends them – and what it means to "attend" an online school.

Online charter school facing legislative struggles
Coos Bay World Link Tue, 06 Feb 2007 1:42 PM PST

SALEM - The Oregon Connections Academy, a Scio-based virtual charter school, has been up and running for less than two years now, but it's already on pace to become one of the largest schools in the state, with about 1,200 students so far, who live everywhere from Bandon to Burns.

Moving to the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber School Grand Jury Winding To Close
KDKA Pittsburgh Mon, 05 Feb 2007 4:00 PM PST

A grand jury delving into the operation of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School appears to be winding to a close. Today, the state called one of its final witnesses.

K12 Inc. to Provide Curriculum and School Services to the New Indiana Virtual Charter School
SYS-CON Media Tue, 06 Feb 2007 1:43 PM PST

Following approval from the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools, the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS) became one of the first public virtual schools in Indiana, and the newest statewide virtual school to use the nationally- acclaimed curriculum and school services provided by K12 Inc.

Districts face rising cyber school costs
The Derrick Fri, 09 Feb 2007 9:12 PM PST

The rate the schools pay is based on their own instructional spending per student. The number of local students enrolled in cyber charter schools has nearly tripled in the last five years, as has the bill.

Venango districts start own cyber schools
The Derrick Fri, 09 Feb 2007 9:12 PM PST

About 34 students are enrolled in programs at Cranberry, Franklin, Oil City. Four Venango County public school districts will spend more than $1 million this year on roughly 140 students attending cyber charter schools across the state.

Next, the Google News Alert for virtual school.

School choice window opens
The Capital Times - Madison,WI,USA

The Appleton, Waukesha and Northern Ozaukee districts, among others, have developed virtual school programs, and encourage students from across the state to ...

'Virtual' courses rile teachers union
The Capital Times - Madison,WI,USA

The prospect of a virtual school program in Madison is causing a confrontation in the real world between the Madison school district and John Matthews, ...

Indiana Virtual Charter School Wins Approval Through Ball StateEarthtimes.org
- USA

The day-to-day operations of the Virtual Charter School will be overseen by a non-profit Board of Trustees led by Ron Brumbarger, President & CEO of ... [See all stories on this topic]

Indiana Connections Academy Approved to Open for 2007-2008 School Year
Emediawire (press release) - Ferndale,WA,USA

Indiana Connections Academy (INCA), Indiana's first statewide virtual charter school for students in grades K-12, was unanimously authorized by Ball State ...

Online classes go mainstream
ktla 5 - Los Angeles,CA,USA

But one survey the department completed nearly five years ago found that 36% of school districts in the nation had students enrolled in virtual school, ...

Virtual Academy Poses Threat to Private Homeschool Freedom
Home School Legal Defense Association - USA

The Northern Ozaukee School District is expanding its virtual school, intended to offer high school now. The Northern Ozaukee School District operates the ... [See all stories on this topic]

New Online High School Opens Its Virtual Doors Statewide for 2007 ...Earthtimes.org
- USA

The school will be based in Grantsburg, WI, where pioneers in online learning established the Grantsburg Virtual School. Insight School of Wisconsin will ...

Virtual schools’ popularity explodes
Lawrence Journal World - Lawrence,KS,USA

A special audit team is studying the state’s virtual school programs and will complete a report by April, said Barbara Hinton, legislative post auditor. ...

Virtual school tour a learning experience
Ottawa Sun - Ottawa,Ontario,Canada

"This new virtual capability will help families make informed decisions relating to school choices in a timely manner." Jeanne-Lajoie's tour for ...

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber School Grand Jury Winding To Close
KDKA - Pittsburg,PA,USA

The grand jury wants to know whether tax money earmarked for the cyber school actually funded a new building, the National Network of Digital Schools, ...

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