Category Archives: Online learning

Online Schools Enrollment Explosion

Online School Enrolls Huge Numbers with New Approach

Online Learning

Virtual Schools Study

A thorough study of funding and regulations of online (virtual) schools in Washington enlightens the subject about such topics as: Requirements for teacher contact Amount of funding and fiscal impact Record keeping Public policy and support Defining online learning Homeschooling impact This carefully conducted and well-written report found that both “high” and “low” achieving students [...]

Changing High School

Because high schools have been so resistant to change, educational choices have expanded enormously. Why can’t high schools change? A provocative essay, “The Blind Men and the High School” descibes six strategies to change school. Each states a strategy, problem definition and theory of action. Here is one of the stategies as an example: Strategy: [...]

Florida Virtual School Enrolls 14,000 Students

One of many virtual or online high schools, Florida Virtual High enrolls over 14,000 students annually across the U.S. and in other countries since its founding in 1997. Their motto is “Any time, Any place, Any path, Any pace.” This state funded school claims a 90% course completion rate and offer “franchises” to others wishing [...]

Virtual Schools, More Choices

The US Department of Education estimates that 50,000 students from 37 states attend virtual schools either full or part-time, a very rapidly expanding sector of school choice. Though critics worry about the lack of social contact and lack of regulation, parents are making the selection just as they do in the realm of homeschooling. The [...]

2000 Applicants for 3 Online Schools

One of the fastest growing educational alternatives is virtual schools or online schools. These schools service students in their homes and operate without a school building. Those in the public sector collect state aid for each student they enroll. This story describes three online schools started by Wisconsin school districts had applicants that far exceeded [...]

Cyber Schools

Cyber schools, also called virtual schools or online schools, may be the fastest growing alternative, estimated at 60 schools nationally and perhaps serving 50,000 students according to a new report, Cyber and Home School Charter Schools: How States are Defining New Forms of Public Schooling by Luis A. Huerta of Teachers College, Columbia University. The [...]

Choices in Wisconsin

Several references to alternatives or choices have popped up in Wisconsin. One is about online schools or virtual schools and controversy surrounding their approval. Another is a study, Charter Schools in Wisconsin: Assessing Form and Performance by Dr. John Witte of the University of Wisconsin addressing to what degree charter schools are offering additional choices [...]

Cyber Schools

Another form of learning alternative is cyber schools, sometimes referred to as online schools or distant learning schools. They enroll and teach students over the Internet at both elementary and secondary levels, not to mention the explosive growth at higher education levels. The State Supreme Court of Pennsylvania dismissed a challenge by the School Boards [...]