Virtual Schooling in the News

My intention this past week was to do some reporting about some of the virtual school sessions that I attended at AERA. That didn't happen, but I promise it will next week.

In the meantime, the report of virtual and cyber schooling in the news, beginning with the usual Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Traveling students able to stay educated with Lawrence Virtual School
Lawrence Journal-World Sat, 14 Apr 2007 0:23 AM PDT

A handful of Lawrence Public School students aren't actually educated in Lawrence. In fact, they're not even in the U.S. The Lawrence Virtual School lets these students keep pace with their peers while they're away.

Virtual School has students worldwide
Lawrence Journal-World Sat, 14 Apr 2007 2:09 AM PDT

A handful of Lawrence public school students aren?t actually educated in Lawrence. In fact, the students don?t even live in the United States. They?re in far-off places such as Sri Lanka, Germany, New Zealand and Chile.

Haysville gets grant for online charter school
The Wichita Eagle Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:43 PM PDT

The Haysville school district has received a $215,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Education to start a new virtual charter school.

Virtual High School open 24/7
The Express-Times Sat, 14 Apr 2007 9:21 PM PDT

HACKETTSTOWN A town high school student looking to take Advanced Placement computer science is out of luck. But next year, school district officials plan to make the course available, as well as Mandarin Chinese, Caribbean art history and pre-veterinary medicine.

Virtual Classrooms Helps Children With Cancer Attend School
WNDU 16 South Bend Tue, 17 Apr 2007 1:18 PM PDT

When children get cancer, they face more than months in the hospital and painful treatments.

2 virtual charter schools face opposition
Louisville Courier-Journal Tue, 17 Apr 2007 3:09 AM PDT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two virtual charter schools are prepared to start teaching hundreds of Indiana students this fall. But some lawmakers, citing budgetary issues, want to stop them from opening.

State budget could restrict virtual charter schools
The Times of Northwest Indiana Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:34 PM PDT

INDIANAPOLIS - Two virtual charter schools were prepared to start teaching hundreds of Indiana students this fall _ but some lawmakers want to stop them from opening their online doors.

Excluded pupils given 'home'work
Harrow Times Mon, 16 Apr 2007 7:40 PM PDT

EXCLUDED schoolchildren in Brent will be educated by a new virtual school. The local authority has bought 25 seats from Accipio - a company that specialises in providing education for children with behavioural problems. And the new scheme means for two days a week they will be home-schooled.

Inflated cyber charter school costs discussed
The Daily Review Wed, 18 Apr 2007 1:26 AM PDT

CANTON ? Facing spiraling expenditures for cyber charter schools, the Canton Area School Board has passed a resolution supporting a Pennsylvania House bill for transferring the funding responsibility for cyber charter schools to the Commonwealth.

Virtual classroom could be cost-saver for school district
East Providence Post Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:39 PM PDT

Imagine being able to learn everything you need to know to get through your junior year of high school and never have to leave the comforts of your own bedroom.

State Introduces Virtual Public High School
NBC 17 Raleigh Thu, 19 Apr 2007 3:29 PM PDT

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The state's newest high school offers classes that any high school student anywhere in the state can take.

Nevada Virtual Academy to Host Parent Information Sessions Across the State
U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Thu, 19 Apr 2007 2:51 PM PDT

The Nevada Virtual Academy - the state's new public virtual school - will host a series of parent information sessions in April and May designed for families who are interested in learning how to enroll in this exciting and innovative new public school option.

/C O R R E C T I O N -- Nevada Virtual Academy/
U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News Fri, 20 Apr 2007 5:53 AM PDT

In the news release, Nevada Virtual Academy to Host Parent Information Sessions Across the State, issued yesterday, April 19, by the Nevada Virtual Academy over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the third paragraph, second sentence, should read "The Academy will serve grades 4-8 beginning this Fall" rather than "grades K-8" as originally issued inadvertently.

Be True to Your Cyberschool
BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! News Fri, 20 Apr 2007 5:08 AM PDT

Ask a typical teenager what he or she likes about high school and the teen will rattle off a list that includes such quintessential traditions as homecoming, prom, and spirit days. Despite the enduring appeal of these group activities, two major players in online education--Kaplan and the Apollo Group-- are betting the students will rally around cyber-high schools.

Proposal would overhaul Pa.'s cyber schools
The York Dispatch Fri, 20 Apr 2007 8:09 AM PDT

School officials from across York County have complained for years that cyber charter schools cost too much and lack accountability. Local legislators are among the supporters of a proposal that overhauls funding and regulations for the schools.

Next the Google News alert for virtual school.

Kaplan acquires Weston-based Sagemont Virtual School
Sun-Sentinel.com - Fort Lauderdale,FL,USA

Sagemont Virtual School, LLC, based in Weston, has reached an agreement to be acquired by Kaplan, Inc., a large private educational operator owned by the ... [See all stories on this topic]

Virtual School’s Charter OK’d
Fort Smith Times Record - Fort Smith,AR,USA

The board approved a charter for the Arkansas Virtual Academy in October 2003. Even though Act 2131 prohibited the school from receiving state money, ... [See all stories on this topic]

Virtual High School open 24/7
The Express Times - Easton,PA,USA

The school district plans to sign up for Virtual High School, a nonprofit that offers more than 250 online courses for high school students. ... [See all stories on this topic]

Virtual School has students worldwide
Lawrence Journal World - Lawrence,KS,USA

A handful of Lawrence Public School students aren't actually educated in Lawrence. In fact, they're not even in the US The Lawrence Virtual School lets ... [See all stories on this topic]

Virtual school program allows students to access classes online ...
Wilson Daily Times (subscription) - Wilson,NC,USA

Initially, the virtual school will serve high school students. However, the state plans to eventually allow middle school students to access it. ... [See all stories on this topic]

Montana gets low grade for school tech use
The Missoulian - Missoula,MT,USA

The “use” category faulted Montana for failing to establish a “virtual school,” which 23 other states have done to date. ... [See all stories on this topic]

Haysville gets grant for online charter school
The Wichita Eagle - Wichita,KS,USA

Wichita maintained its eSchool enrollment after the Lawrence district launched its own virtual school and advertised for students statewide, including in ... [See all stories on this topic]

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Ohio cyber school wins over critics
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Cleveland,OH,USA

The founder of the state's first and largest electronic cyber school once drew the ire of traditional public school administrators, who complained that he ... [See all stories on this topic]

Cyber schools are essential, so look for a silver lining
Allentown Morning Call - Allentown,PA,USA

The cyber system clicked, and Luke made great progress, Scott said, ''based on both his performance and his attitude.…The cyber school was a godsend. ... [See all stories on this topic]

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