Virtual Schooling in the News

Sorry, nothing new this week and I forgot to do the Re-post from the AECT BlogTrack. Getting my dissertation defense set and officially accepting a job for the Fall kept me away from the blog this week - hopefully next week will be better.

Beginning this time with the ASCD SmartBrief.

Online classes gaining in popularity

The North American Council for Online Learning estimates that 1 million K-12 students are enrolled in online courses, and it expects that number to grow. Students welcome the flexibility, and advocates say it gives students more family time, but some teachers say they need face time with students to monitor their progress and attitude. The Boston Globe/Los Angeles Times (2/18)

Moving on to the Yahoo! News Alerts for virtual school.

Online schools popularity grows
Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune Sun, 18 Feb 2007 1:58 AM PST

Full-time virtual schooling burst onto the Wisconsin education scene in 2002 when Wisconsin eSchool began teaching students from the comfort of their own homes.

Virtual schools gearing up to provide at-home education for Missouri students
Jefferson City News Tribune Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:57 AM PST

A new program allowing Missouri students to learn at home, as well as at school, is taking shape within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this winter.

Virtual schools face opposition from teachers
Ball State Daily News Sun, 18 Feb 2007 10:48 PM PST

Ball State University will open the digital doors to two virtual charter schools in the fall, but not without facing opposition from the state legislature and Indiana's largest teachers union.

House debates virtual school bill
The State Tue, 20 Feb 2007 9:02 PM PST

The House voted Tuesday to give preference to public school students who wish to take classes in a new statewide online school system.

West Sussex County Council tackles inclusion with "virtual school"
PublicTechnology.net Wed, 21 Feb 2007 0:14 AM PST

West Sussex County Council has found an innovative approach to educational inclusion by using technology for alternative provision outside the traditional classroom.

FLVS National English Honors Society celebrate African American Authors
North Fort Myers Neighbor Wed, 21 Feb 2007 6:27 AM PST

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Florida Virtual School Cyber Scholar Chapter of the National English Honors Society (NEHS), the country’s first NEHS online chapter, will host the first-ever online African American Read-In to celebrate Black History month.

Virtual school could be the future of education in South Carolina
WPDE-TV Myrtle Beach - Florence Thu, 22 Feb 2007 5:34 AM PST

A bill expanding the South Carolina's Virtual School Pilot Program has received key approval in the house.

Virtual school bill passes House
The State Wed, 21 Feb 2007 9:03 PM PST

A surprisingly controversial bill creating a statewide virtual school system passed the House 85-33 Tuesday.

Four School District Virtual School Collaboration
WEAU Eau Claire Thu, 22 Feb 2007 2:16 PM PST

Four school districts have worked together to build a virtual school to provide more opportunities for students and help increase it's student enrollment numbers.

Does spreading virtual schools make sense?
Gazette Extra Sports Fri, 23 Feb 2007 9:20 AM PST

As Janesville joins public school districts around the state rushing to set up virtual charter schools, we're left with a few questions.

New school plan could click for Liverpool
Lisbon Morning Journal Thu, 22 Feb 2007 9:23 PM PST

EAST LIVERPOOL — Offering an in-house cyber school option is part of a plan Superintendent Ken Halbert has to help the city school district pull itself up by its bootstraps.

Next the Yahoo! News Alerts for cyber school.

Cyber teachers hand out free homework help
Townsville Bulletin Sun, 18 Feb 2007 6:21 AM PST

CAN'T bear to find out if your homework is on the right track? Free homework help is now as simple as logging on to the Internet at the Aitkenvale Library.

More students across US logging on to online classrooms
Boston Globe Sun, 18 Feb 2007 2:08 AM PST

LOS ANGELES -- After Ben Hathaway's father was called to active duty in the Army National Guard, the 15-year-old had to help his family tend the 130 head of cattle on their 345-acre farm in Leoma, Tenn.

Cyber charter school story strikes nerve, prompts diverse responses
The Derrick Tue, 20 Feb 2007 9:28 PM PST

Most seem to view the tally of the money spent by districts on the schools as an "attack" on cyber education. A recent report on local school district spending on cyber charter schools struck a nerve in cyber land, prompting a flurry of cyber responses.

FLVS National English Honors Society celebrate African American Authors
North Fort Myers Neighbor Wed, 21 Feb 2007 6:27 AM PST

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Florida Virtual School Cyber Scholar Chapter of the National English Honors Society (NEHS), the country’s first NEHS online chapter, will host the first-ever online African American Read-In to celebrate Black History month.

New school plan could click for Liverpool
Lisbon Morning Journal Thu, 22 Feb 2007 9:23 PM PST

EAST LIVERPOOL — Offering an in-house cyber school option is part of a plan Superintendent Ken Halbert has to help the city school district pull itself up by its bootstraps.

East Liverpool Board presented with online school option
The East Liverpool Review Thu, 22 Feb 2007 9:15 PM PST

EAST LIVERPOOL — The East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education were presented with options for providing online classes Thursday at their regular meeting.

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

Cyber teachers hand out free homework help
Townsville Bulletin - Northern Australia,Australia

Tutoring Australia managing director Jack Goodman said the students could use this service during term and throughout the school holidays. ...

Venango districts start own cyber schools
Oil City Derrick - Oil City,PA,USA

"If they decide a month and a half in that they don't want to (attend) cyber school, the district is stuck with those payments," he said. ...

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