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The largest teachers’ union, the National Education Association (NEA) is flexing its muscles in Wisconsin, which has resulted in one of the state’s virtual schools losing it’s state funding. The Wisconsin Virtual Academy, which is a K12 certified school, is at the center of a debate that could have consequences for virtual schools across the nation.
K12, the business behind many virtual schools now operates public virtual schools in 23 locations (states and major cities) around the US. They are the provider for Wisconsin Virtual Academy, which serves K-8 and Honors High Online of Wisconsin, a virtual public high school.
Last spring, K12 teamed forces with a charter school here in Georgia to provide Georgia Virtual Academy, a K-8 school, and they were overwhelmed by the number of students who enrolled. Expecting 500 enrollees, the school was swamped this fall and finally, despite attempts not to close enrollment, called a halt to taking new students as 2,933 students. The Wisconsin school has 800 students throughout the state.
The “problem” the NEA and others have with virtual schools is the lack of direct instruction by licensed teachers. The court in Wisconsin found that the parents were the primary educators, a violation of state law for public schools. The court went on to say that the districts that operate virtual schools can not receive taxpayer money for students attending outside their geographic boundaries.
What happens next is keeping everyone involved with virtual schools on the edge of our collective seat. Online learning most assuredly has its place. For us, it has been a God-send, plus the only public school option to which we have access. Nancy, on the Reactive Attachment Disorder blog is using the K12 curriculum with her Beth and awaiting a chance to enroll in a virtual public school in their state. She and I have chatted frequently on the pros and cons of this educational option. She’s loving it with Beth, and I’m very grateful for the flexibility and option that has been afforded us. Prior to GVA, I was “doing my own thing” with homeschooling a child who had been forced out of public school. So, here I was, paying taxes for services my daughter wasn’t able to access. Now, I get a fabulous curriculum, and lots of structure and support delivered to us daily over the computer.
I am most assuredly LuLu’s primary educator at this point, given the official title of “learning coach”. I spoke with her special education teacher this morning (we speak once a week), and I get several emails a week from either this teacher or her general education teacher. There are on-line courses held weekly that are totally option, but we have attended. And, of course, there is standardized testing…since this is a public school.
The interesting thing, at least here in Georgia, is that GVA received much less funding than the brick and mortar schools do per student. And this year, because of timing, they weren’t able to access special education funding for their many special education students. (I know of several families who have pulled their children from brick and mortar schools home to GVA for better special education services and to protect them from the mounting problems with special education in Georgia’s public schools.)
I understand the NEA’s desire to “protect their own” and use their clout to make sure that more teachers have jobs – although with teacher shortages in certain areas and the excitement of those hired by GVA to be able to work from home, I’m not sure which teachers the NEA is protecting. I do take exception to what the president of the NEA said in her soundbite, though:
“This issue is whether a program where you don’t have licensed educators and where you don’t have students working directly with other students should be getting fully funded as though it were a quality educational experience.”
Quite the presumption there, in my opinion, that the only place a “quality educational experience” can take place is in a brick and mortar school building with lots of students crammed together into a classroom with one licensed educator. Not hardly our experience at all!
Very interesting blog, Julie. Keep us posted. As you said, I am LOVIN’ this with Beth. K12 is a fabulous curriculum.
why doesn’t the NEA get off their butts and do something about the stupid NCLB crap.. and go back to treating special needs student special instead of this get with the program crap
We just recently started using K12 with my 13-year old daughter and have been extremely pleased with it. My mom is actually her learning coach (God bless her!) and she speaks highly of the program. We too are paying out of pocket while we wait for Georgia Virtual Academy to open up. I tell you if their funding is threatened here, I will be up at the state house telling my representatives about it!