Was Wondering When This Would Happen

In the Virtual Schooling in the News feature this week there was the following news item:

A student enrolled in a cyber-charter school wants to still attend dances and play baseball at the middle school, but ...
Reading Eagle Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:25 PM PDT

A student enrolled in a cyber-charter school wants to still attend dances and play baseball at the middle school, but the attorney for the district had said it doesn’t have to allow it.

I knew it was only a matter of time before virtual school (and in this case cyber school) students would want to take part in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities offered by the traditional schols in their area.

So, should a student who has opted out of the traditional public school, who's funding has been taken from that brick-and-mortar public school and put into a cyber charter school be allowed to participant in the extra-curricular (note that we are not talking co-curricular, but extra-curricular) activities of that brick-and-mortar school?

You can probably tell by the way I asked the question what my answer will be.

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

Virtual Schooling in the News

Not a lot of content this past week... Still unpacking and cleaning. Hopefully next week will bring more in the way of updates.

Beginning once again with the Yahoo! News alert for virtual school.

Tucson parents ponder virtual high schools
ABC 15 Phoenix Sat, 21 Jul 2007 6:52 PM PDT

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The enticement is substantial. No classrooms. Teachers only when you want them. No disruptive classmates. No high school drama. Virtual school isn't the stuff of science fiction.

Tucson parents ponder virtual high schools
Arizona Daily Sun Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:44 AM PDT

TUCSON -- The enticement is substantial. No classrooms. Teachers only when you want them. No disruptive classmates. No high school drama.

Virtual School serves as temp enrollment site
Lawrence Journal-World Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:08 PM PDT

Because of construction at Broken Arrow and South Junior High schools, Broken Arrow students and parents will enroll Wednesday at the Lawrence Virtual School, 2145 La. Signs posted in the virtual school’s Centennial Learning Center will direct parents to the temporary office. Broken Arrow’s enrollment is from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Virtual program to start
Rolla Daily News Fri, 27 Jul 2007 3:23 AM PDT

When students across Missouri slide into their desks for the first day of school this fall, hundreds of them will be facing a computer instead of the front of a classroom.

Next the Yahoo! News alert for cyber school.

School audit: PA Cyber had no written standards for balancing books
The Beaver County Times Sat, 21 Jul 2007 7:10 PM PDT

MIDLAND - An audit of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School found that the school lacked written procedures for reconciling account balances, documenting credit card charges and employee travel reimbursements, and documenting competitive bidding on large purchases.


Officials say proposal will doom cyber school
The Sentinel Thu, 26 Jul 2007 9:49 PM PDT


LEWISTOWN — Pennsylvania charter cyber schools would have to close if funding methods in House Bill 446 are adopted, Sharon Williams, chief administra...

Moving on to the Google News alert for virtual school.

Local parents ponder virtual high schools ARE YOU READY TO LEARN ...
Tucson Citizen - Tucson,AZ,USA

Now iQ Academy Arizona is on the scene, hoping to attract 200 students by the first day of virtual school Aug. 15. State law allows virtual schools if they ... [See all stories on this topic]

Virtual School in Sandoval
WJBDRadio.com - Salem,IL,USA

The Sandoval Community School District Board has agreed to continue using the Illinois Virtual High School to teach spanish to the city's High School ... [See all stories on this topic]

Tucson parents ponder virtual high schools
AZ Central.com - AZ,USA

No high school drama. Virtual school isn't the stuff of science fiction. Last school year, more than 170 virtual schools operated in the United States, ... [See all stories on this topic]

East Stroudsburg community open to idea of virtual high school
Pocono Record - Stroudsburg,PA,USA

Its lawyers are evaluating the virtual school before it can move forward. Heath said the department told her the district was in "uncharted waters. ... [See all stories on this topic]

School lunch will cost the same
Jackson County Floridan - Marianna,FL,USA

Also at the meeting, the board unanimously approved an agreement with the Florida Virtual School. Superintendent Danny Sims said the school is growing, ... [See all stories on this topic]

Mt. Hermon students take field trip
Bogalusa Daily News - Bogalusa,LA,USA

The Mount Herman School Louisiana virtual school and talented arts class took a field trip to the New Orleans Museum of Art recently to see the Femme, ... [See all stories on this topic]

iQ Academy Launches New Online High School in Kansas
Newswire Today (press release) - London,UK

Teachers from iQ Academy will host the open houses, allowing prospective students to ask questions about the virtual school. Those interested will be able ... [See all stories on this topic]

As new virtual schools open in Kansas, questions remain
Kansas City Star - MO,USA

By MELODEE HALL BLOBAUM When the virtual school bell rings Aug. 16, leaders of iQ Academy Kansas hope high school students from Garden City to Overland Park ... [See all stories on this topic]

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Districts like cyber school limits in bill
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

State law requires districts to pay about 75 percent of their per-pupil costs as tuition for each cyber charter school student who lives in the district. ... [See all stories on this topic]

District readies public safety high school
Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA

The other specialty schools in the Phoenix school district are the Bioscience High School in downtown Phoenix and Cyber High School at 3701 W. Thomas Road. ... [See all stories on this topic]

Public school districts feel the burn from cyberspace
Wilkes Barre Citizen's Voice - Wilkes Barre,PA,USA

Though no cyber schools are based in Luzerne County, a student from Luzerne County is free to enroll at a cyber school based in Harrisburg or anywhere else ... [See all stories on this topic]

District wrong to bar cyber-school student
Reading Eagle - Reading,PA,USA

The Issue: Kutztown School District balks at allowing a student who plans to enroll in a cyber-charter school to take part in district-sponsored ... [See all stories on this topic]

School audit: PA Cyber had no written standards for balancing books
Beaver County Times - Beaver County,PA,USA

MIDLAND - An audit of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School found that the school lacked written procedures for reconciling account balances, ... [See all stories on this topic]

Highlands fights back with cyber school
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

Others still, including the Highlands School District, have decided to compete. This fall, Highlands will launch its own cyber school in an effort to win ... [See all stories on this topic]

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

What Do You Do When?

Over a year ago I posted an entry entitled "Adressing Virtual Schooling Concerns" , which was in response to an entry that Vicki Davis (i.e., Cool Cat Teacher Blog) had posted. It was basically about cheating in virtual schools, or more specifically her comment:

"Yes, plaigarism may be a concern, but I think the greater concern is parentarism."

I raise this again now because after a year there, and a short dialogue that Vicki and I had, there was a new comment posted today.

"I'm concerned. My stepson is in Beaver County PA and has been cyberschooled for the last 2 years. According to his sister, her mother does all of his work and testing. The child is functionally illiterate and not even all that functional. I do not know what to do or where to turn. What a great disservice to my child. "

Let's forget for a minute that the cyber school is in Pennsylvania (cause I've ranted before about the lack of oversight for cyber schools in that state and Ohio in particularly). What advice do we have for this concerned step-parent?

For myself, I would think that a visit from an official from the local school district official (which can probably be requested) would be in order. Maybe some testing by the school district to ensure that the student is at grade level (or at least at the place where the cyber school claims that he is). Also, an anonomous tip to the local newspaper or a local legislative member or a member of the local school district or school council about these kinds of activities (without naming your own family) and let them do the digging and attempt to expose what is actually happening at this cyber school.

I make these kinds of suggestions for two reasons. The first is that this should expose the school for having quite a relaxed form of assessment and monitoring of that assessment, and improvements in these areas would help your stepson by preventing his mother from doing his school work in the future. The second is that this is a problem with the way in which the instruction is delivered and assessed by both the school and its teachers. If these problems are addressed it would provide a better educational experience for all of the students at this cyber school.

But these are just some of my ideas... What would you suggest to this step-parent?

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

Virtual Schooling in the News

Well, I have successfully moved. Still unpacking and such, but I do have my Internet connection back up and running so I will be able to start updating on a regular basis again.

To start us off, our regular feature of virtual schooling in the news... Beginning with the Yahoo! News alert for virtual school.

Local parents ponder virtual high schools: Are you ready to learn online?
Tucson Citizen Tue, 17 Jul 2007 0:12 AM PDT

The enticement is substantial. No classrooms. Teachers only when you want them. No disruptive classmates. No high school drama. Virtual school isn't the stuff of science fiction.

PRATT AREA BRIEFS: iQ Academy open house
The Pratt Tribune Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00 AM PDT

iQ Academy will hold an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pratt Public Library to introduce its online high school which will open its virtual doors for the 2007-08 school year this fall.

Parents Look into Virtual High Schools
KTAR 92.3 Phoenix Sat, 21 Jul 2007 9:49 AM PDT

The enticement is substantial. No classrooms. Teachers only when you want them. No disruptive classmates. No high school drama. Virtual school isn't the stuff of science fiction.

Tucson parents ponder virtual high schools
KVOA Tucson Sat, 21 Jul 2007 9:50 AM PDT

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The enticement is substantial. No classrooms. Teachers only when you want them. No disruptive classmates. No high school drama.

Next the Yahoo! News alert for cyber school.

Public school districts feel the burn from cyberspace
The Citizens' Voice Sun, 15 Jul 2007 0:06 AM PDT

Enrollment at cyber schools has grown at a breathtaking pace across Pennsylvania since their inception eight years ago. The Internet-based schools now number 11 and serve nearly 17,000 students statewide.

Cyberschool defends budget balance
The Beaver County Times Sat, 14 Jul 2007 6:54 PM PDT

MIDLAND - The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in 2005-06 posted a $16.1 million fund equity - about 49 percent of annual expenses - as the school's assets continued to climb for a sixth straight year, according to an independent audit.

Highlands fights back with cyber school
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Sun, 15 Jul 2007 9:25 PM PDT

Faced with an ever-increasing loss of dollars and students to cyber charter schools, Pennsylvania school districts have begun to evaluate their options.

Bill encourages districts to follow Highlands lede
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Sun, 15 Jul 2007 9:25 PM PDT

A bill before the state House Education Committee could bring big relief to Pennsylvania school districts at the expense of cyber charter schools.

A student enrolled in a cyber-charter school wants to still attend dances and play baseball at the middle school, but ...
Reading Eagle Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:25 PM PDT

A student enrolled in a cyber-charter school wants to still attend dances and play baseball at the middle school, but the attorney for the district had said it doesn’t have to allow it.

Districts like cyber school limits in bill
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Wed, 18 Jul 2007 9:13 PM PDT

Leaders of some local school districts are rallying behind a bill aimed at decreasing the payments they make to support students enrolled in cyber charter schools.

PA Cyber passes state performance tests
The East Liverpool Review Fri, 20 Jul 2007 9:29 PM PDT

MIDLAND — The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and Midland Middle and Elementary schools jointly announced they achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2007 statewide school performance tests.

Moving on to the Google News alert for virtual school.

Tougher to catch college online test takers, educators say
Naples Daily News - Naples,FL,USA

Anna Coppola, an instructional leader for Florida Virtual School, said communication with students and parents is part of the key to preventing cheating. ... [See all stories on this topic]

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

For Hazleton student, it's just another school day
Wilkes Barre Citizen's Voice - Wilkes Barre,PA,USA

A recently-divorced medical assistant, Cerani's mother said that cyber school have allowed her to go back to work knowing her son is getting the individual ... [See all stories on this topic]

Franklin's pay for play put off for a year
News-Herald - Franklin,PA,USA

Home-schooled students would likewise pay a $25 fee to participate, as would charter and cyber charter school students, but the charter or cyber charter ... [See all stories on this topic]

Bill encourages districts to follow Highlands lede
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

Both sums go to the same cyber school, which raises this question: "What are the real costs here?" Vitali also raised concerns about the quality of ... [See all stories on this topic]

Cyberschool defends budget balance
Beaver County Times - Beaver County,PA,USA

MIDLAND - The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in 2005-06 posted a $16.1 million fund equity - about 49 percent of annual expenses - as the school's assets ... [See all stories on this topic]

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

Virtual Schooling in the News

After this morning in this hotel in Lexington I may not have Internet access again until 20 July.

Beginning, as always, with the Yahoo! News alert for virtual school.

Student enrollment in Miss. Virtual Public School program up sixfold
NBC 15 Mobile Sat, 07 Jul 2007 1:29 PM PDT

More Mississippi high school students are trading in their pencils and notebooks for a computer screen and keyboard for some classes as enrollment for the Mississippi Virtual Public School has...

Virtual school enrollment jumps sixfold
The Biloxi Sun Herald Sat, 07 Jul 2007 1:02 AM PDT

More Mississippi high school students are trading in their pencils and notebooks for a computer screen and keyboard as enrollment for the Mississippi Virtual Public School has increased more than sixfold since last year.

New virtual school now recruiting
Pocono Record Fri, 06 Jul 2007 9:35 PM PDT

A new high school is slated to open in Monroe County next year, but you'll never see the walls or doors of a building, or lines of school buses idling outside.

School bulletin
The Hillsboro Argus Fri, 06 Jul 2007 3:11 PM PDT

SCIO - Oregon Connections Academy, known as ORCA, is one of Oregon's largest virtual charter schools. ORCA is a public school chartered through the Scio School District. It opened in the fall of 2005 and currently serves approximately 1,500 students in kindergarten through 10th grade.

State's 'virtual school' on the way to reality
Houston Chronicle Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:47 PM PDT

Texas has a new "virtual school" that could allow students at even the smallest campuses to study rarely offered subjects such as Chinese and advanced physics.

Community open to idea of virtual high school
Pocono Record Thu, 12 Jul 2007 9:37 PM PDT

EAST STROUDSBURG — East Stroudsburg may be venturing into "uncharted waters" by setting up a new cyber school, but Thursday night proved that people are willing to go along for the ride.

School bulletin
The Hillsboro Argus Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:25 AM PDT

SCIO - Oregon Connections Academy, known as ORCA, is one of Oregon's largest virtual charter schools. ORCA is a public school chartered through the Scio School District. It opened in the fall of 2005 and currently serves approximately 1,500 students in kindergarten through 10th grade.

School spirits: A virtual education is almost as scary as the real thing
The Morning Call Fri, 13 Jul 2007 0:29 AM PDT

Adults tend to look at schools as places of learning, safety and discipline. The people who actually go to them know better. To students, schools are fraught with danger, intrigue and barely controlled chaos.


Next the Yahoo! News alert for cyber school.


Cyber school costs rising every year
Murrysville Star Wed, 11 Jul 2007 8:35 AM PDT

The debate over cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania is expected to heat up within the coming year as more public school districts -- including Penn-Trafford -- are calling for greater accountability and financial reprocussions for cyber schools that do

Cyber school costs rising every year
Murrysville Star Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:20 AM PDT

The debate over cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania is expected to heat up within the coming year as more public school districts -- including Penn-Trafford -- are calling for greater accountability and financial reprocussions for cyber schools that do read more »

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

[Innovate] Special Issue on the Future of Education

This may be something that virtual school researchers might be interested in submitting too. I know that I am considering it and the 15 October deadline is a good time frame.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A message from James L Morrison (morrison@unc.edu ).

This special issue focuses on trends, pressures, and evolutions shaping the future of education in all its forms, with particular consideration of the role of information technologies in creating that future.

The future of education--whether in public or private schools, colleges or universities, corporate training rooms, or other yet-to-be-imagined venues--is a vision dimly seen on an uncertain horizon. Tectonic technological, social, economic, and political shifts, driven by the accelerating pace of information technology, globalization, and an evolving culture of knowledge, render already unstable futures largely unknowable. Educational systems face even more immediate pressures arising from the increasing role of for-profit education providers, learner access to open content, and the growth of the "participation culture." Change, even radical change, is unavoidable; tomorrow’s education and training systems are not likely to resemble today’s educational complex.

Whatever the future holds for education, information technologies will play a role. The creative use of information technology can enhance education processes, enabling educators to meet new challenges and reshape education's role in society. The technologies of education, and the use of technology in education, are both drivers of change and indicators of future directions.

Submissions for this special issue may address, but are not limited to, these key issues:

1. What does the "rise of the amateur" in media, music, and news industries suggest for education providers of the future?

2. What is the role of universities and colleges when the world's information is at the fingertips of learners, without the mediation of experts? Or when experts make those resources freely available through MIT's OpenCourseWare or Open University's OpenLearn?

3. Is a copyright system designed to protect physical objects—books,
magazines, and journals—capable of serving the digital knowledge needs of the next generation?

4. How can technological tools be used by developed countries to assist emerging countries in educating their people?

5. How should governance and leadership be structured in educational institutions facing exponential change?

6. Are existing research agendas and methodologies capable of answering the knowledge needs of the next generation?

7. Do our existing theories of learning reflect how digital natives learn in the information age?

If you would like to submit a manuscript on this topic, please send it to the guest editor of this issue, George Siemans (gsiemens@elearnspace.org ) and to me (jlm@nova.edu ) no later than October 15, 2007.

Thanks!

Jim
----
James L Morrison
Editor-in-Chief, Innovate
http://www.innovateonline.info/
Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership
UNC-Chapel Hill
http://horizon.unc.edu/

Tags: open source, online journals, e-journals, academy, digital natives, generational differences, virtual school, cyber school, high school, education

Virtual Schooling in the News

BTW, I'm moving this week - so I won't be posting for the next two weeks unless I get really bored or, and this is more likely, I really need a distraction. So see you again some time after July 20 or so.

As always, beginning with the Yahoo! News alert for virtual school.

Florida Virtual Academy Receives an A for the 2006-07 Academic Year
PR Newswire via Yahoo! News Mon, 02 Jul 2007 6:31 AM PDT

The Florida Virtual Academy (FLVA) -- the state's highest scoring K-8 online public school -- received an "A" from the Florida Department of Education for the 2006-07 academic year.

Video: Virtual learning goes back to school
Silicon.com Mon, 02 Jul 2007 5:06 AM PDT

No more red pens?

Video: Virtual learning goes back to school
Addict 3D Mon, 02 Jul 2007 5:14 AM PDT

No more red pens? You must be registered and logged in to add comments!

Supreme Court asked to decide Virtual School Challenge
WXOW 19 La Crosse Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:17 AM PDT

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is being asked to decide the legality of a virtual school in Ozaukee County.

Supreme Court asked to decide virtual school challenge
La Crosse Thu, 05 Jul 2007 7:20 AM PDT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin Supreme Court is being asked to decide the legality of a virtual school in Ozaukee County. The state's largest teachers union is suing the Northern Ozaukee School District and its Wisconsin Virtual Academy.

High court might take virtual-school case
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wed, 04 Jul 2007 7:03 PM PDT

The Wisconsin Supreme Court could hear a case challenging the legality of the Northern Ozaukee School District's virtual school after the state appeals court declined to rule on the matter and recommended it for the high court's review.

Student enrollment in Miss. Virtual Public School program up sixfold
The Clarion-Ledger Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:04 PM PDT

More Mississippi high school students are trading in their pencils and notebooks for a computer screen and keyboard for some classes as enrollment for the Mississippi Virtual Public School has increased more than sixfold since last year.

Student enrollment in Miss. Virtual Public School program up sixfold
WMCTV Memphis Fri, 06 Jul 2007 8:18 AM PDT

Associated Press - July 6, 2007 11:14 AM ET JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - More Mississippi high school students are trading in their pencils and notebooks for a computer screen and keyboard for some...

Moving to the Yahoo! News alert for cyber school.

Some students need cyber school
The Evening Sun Mon, 02 Jul 2007 3:03 AM PDT

Cyber charter schools are public schools with part of the instruction delivered over the Internet. Parents are active partners working directly with certified teachers to deliver the curriculum every day. There are many reasons families make the choice.

Big bill for cyber, charter schools concerns York County
The York Dispatch Tue, 03 Jul 2007 7:53 AM PDT

York County school districts spent more than $3.2 million on cyber schools alone during the 2005-2006 school year. With so much at stake, Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester Township, said charter school tuition payments have been a big concern to school board members.

Most Beaver County School Districts To Offer Shared Classes
WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:22 AM PDT

Most high school students in Beaver County will be able to take classes in neighboring districts if the classes are not offered by their home district under a plan to discourage students from going to charter and cyber schools.

Most Beaver County school districts to offer shared classes
WFMJ Youngstown Fri, 06 Jul 2007 5:08 AM PDT

BEAVER, Pa. (AP) - Beaver County schools districts have developed a plan to discourage cyber and charter school enrollment by letting students take classes at neighboring districts, if they are not offered by their home district.

Next the Google News alert for virtual school.

Florida Virtual Academy Receives an A for the 2006-07 Academic Year
Earthtimes.org - USA

For the fourth year in a row, the Florida Virtual Academy was the top-scoring K-8 online public school in the state. "Receiving an 'A' is a great ... [See all stories on this topic]

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Some students need cyber school
The Evening Sun - Hanover,PA,USA

His PSSA scores have consistently improved each year he has been enrolled in a cyber school as opposed to when he was in the South Western school. ... [See all stories on this topic]

CYBER school concerns
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - Wilkes Barre,PA,USA

The three boys enrolled in cyber school take turns as needed. The private, nonprofit companies running the schools - there were 11 in the state during the ... [See all stories on this topic]

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

Net Generation- July Innovate-Live Webcast Schedule

Happy fourth of July for my US readers...

A message from James L Morrison.

Innovate-Live webcasts offer an opportunity to synchronously interact with authors of selected articles in the June/July 2007 issue of Innovate (http://www.innovateonline.info ), an open access e-journal published by the Fischler School of Education and Social Services at Nova Southeastern University. These webcasts are produced as a public service by our partner, ULiveandLearn (http://www.uliveandlearn.com/ ). Registration is free, but advanced registration is mandatory. Also, space is limited, so register NOW. To register, go to the following site: http://www.uliveandlearn.com/PortalInnovate/

All times are Eastern time (sync with New York). You may use the world clock at http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html to coordinate the time with your time zone.

The schedule for the July Innovate-Live webcasts is provided below.

July 11, 2007

1:00 PM
Author: Donald Philip
The Knowledge Building Paradigm: A Model of Learning for Net Generation Students
http://innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=368

If you cannot attend a webcast, note that it will be archived within the features section of the article itself shortly after the event and in the Innovate-Live portal.

Please forward this announcement to colleagues who are interested in using informtion technology tools in their work more effectively.

Many thanks.

Jim
----
James L. Morrison
Editor-in-Chief, Innovate
http://www.innovateonline.info
Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership
UNC-Chapel Hill
http://horizon.unc.edu

Tags: open source, online journals, e-journals, academy, digital natives, generational differences, virtual school, cyber school, high school, education

Virtual Schooling in the News

Beginning as always with the Yahoo! news alert for virtual school.

Virtual school spots filled in Missouri
Jefferson City News Tribune Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:06 AM PDT

Free spots in the state's virtual school program are just about filled. State education officials extended the enrollment period at the end of May because they still had state funding available. Now they say high school slots are full and elementary courses are 96 percent full.

Virtual school spots filled
Daily Journal Sun, 24 Jun 2007 9:57 AM PDT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) ? Free spots in the state?s virtual school program are just about filled.

Virtual school spots filled in Missouri
Jefferson City News Tribune Mon, 25 Jun 2007 1:08 PM PDT

Free spots in the state's virtual school program are just about filled. State education officials extended the enrollment period at the end of May because they still had state funding available. Now they say high school slots are full and elementary courses are 96 percent full.

Virtual school spots filled in Missouri
Jefferson City News Tribune Tue, 26 Jun 2007 6:07 AM PDT

Free spots in the state's virtual school program are just about filled. State education officials extended the enrollment period at the end of May because they still had state funding available. Now they say high school slots are full and elementary courses are 96 percent full.

Virtual High School considered
Worcester Telegram & Gazette Tue, 26 Jun 2007 2:00 AM PDT

OXFORD - Oxford High School students may soon be in class with students from China, Dubai, Europe, South America and across the United States. The School Committee is considering joining a global community of teachers and students participating in Virtual High School, which offers a variety of online courses to high school students.

Virtual school filling up
Southeast Missourian Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:03 PM PDT

Missouri's new virtual school has only a few free slots still open, but more students can still take classes if they pay tuition, says the director of the online education program. Starting Monday,...

Next the Yahoo! news alert for cyber schools.


Cyber charters: We are public schools
The Evening Sun Wed, 27 Jun 2007 3:18 AM PDT


A recent article in the Evening Sun outlined the campaign led by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) against public cyber charter schools in communities across the state. Unfortunately, it was full of many of the same old myths about cyber schools.

Cyber school concerns
Times Leader Sun, 01 Jul 2007 1:53 AM PDT

Behold the growing threat of escalating property taxes, the looming budget buster of public schools: Little Ryan Lubetski, fresh-scrubbed face, buzz-cut hair, plank-thin torso swallowed by an oversized desk chair. His legs are so short that stocking feet dangle a good six inches above the rug of his family?s rustic, remote Ross Township home as he learns his school lessons.

Moving to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Emerson Park School selects hosted software to deliver virtual ...
PublicTechnology.net - UK

Extrasys is helping to transform Emerson Park into a fully fledged 'virtual school' by hosting all educational content at its state-of-the-art data centres, ... [See all stories on this topic]


Blackboard Expands Its K-12 Community
Marketwire (press release) - Toronto,Ontario,Canada

Following is a sampling: North Carolina Virtual Public School, a new state-funded online school that just opened this month, relies on a fully hosted ... [See all stories on this topic]

School expands virtual learning
IT PRO - London,Greater London,UK

Emerson Park School has signed on with Extrasys to expand its virtual learning environment. The 1000 students at the Romford, Essex comprehensive secondary ... [See all stories on this topic]

Alexis Thompson takes a shot at LPGA's best
Sun-Sentinel.com - Fort Lauderdale,FL,USA

They home-school through Broward Virtual School to give them more flexibility training. Their regimen includes 6 am wake-up calls for core-strength exercise ... [See all stories on this topic]

Holt Simulates the Science Explorations with New Virtual ...
Earthtimes.org - USA

Virtual Investigations - available in a version for middle school or high school - is designed to complement the Holt Science and Technology series but can ... [See all stories on this topic]

Free spots in virtual school almost gone
News-Leader.com - Springfield,MO,USA

Now they say high school slots are full and elementary courses are 96 percent full. In a virtual school, students take courses online, at whatever time best ... [See all stories on this topic]

Provision Networks' Virtual Access Suite to Supplement HP Virtual ...
Earthtimes.org - USA

... giving our faculty and student body virtual access to applications and desktops from anywhere within the school premises including classrooms and labs," ... [See all stories on this topic]

School superintendents dispute dropout study,see need to improve ...
Orangeburg Times Democrat - Orangeburg,SC,USA

Orangeburg 5 and Bamberg 1 are offering virtual school, an internet classroom to help students who are behind the curve. Smoak says that District 5 is also ... [See all stories on this topic]

Interactive Whiteboards Enter the Web Conferencing Generation
Earthtimes.org - USA

"Going forward we will be looking at using these two solutions to create room-to-room and school-to-home learning communities, bring in virtual guest ... [See all stories on this topic]

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

No tax hike included in AG's budget plan
Uniontown Herald Standard - Uniontown,PA,USA

Cyber school expenses nearly doubled from last year for the district, said Sheetz. The district will spend $752000 to send 60 regular and 20 special ... [See all stories on this topic]

The back-door side of cyber schools
The Evening Sun - Hanover,PA,USA

A guest column this week in The Evening Sun by the head of a cyber charter school operating in Pennsylvania is a reminder that there are always at least two ... [See all stories on this topic]

Schools support cyber reform
The Evening Sun - Hanover,PA,USA

"It's a nightmare," South Western Superintendent Barbara Rupp said about the cyber-school system. "Unfortunately, I don't think these students are getting a ... [See all stories on this topic]

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