The North American Council for Online Learning has as its mission: “to increase educational opportunities and enhance learning by providing collegial expertise and leadership in K-12 online teaching and learning.” Online learning, sometimes referred to as “virtual schools” or “distance learning” is the fastest-growing alternative. For example, Florida Virtual School serves 33,000 students in several states.
Such schools typically serve students in their homes via the Internet, sometimes providing the computer, but always providing licensed teachers who assign and check lessons.
Online schools are operated by school districts, state agencies, universities and charter schools. Most states have worked out funding mechanisms, not based on “seat time” which was an initial stumbling block and still is in some locales