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Virtual charter schools are publicly-funded, privately-managed schools of choice that educate students online, allowing them to take classes from home. Education at virtual schools differs from other types of online learning, such as blended learning, in that all instruction takes place online and at a distance from the instructor at least part of the time. However, virtual charter schools maintain similarity to other schools in many ways, such as by conducting parent-teacher conferences, coordinating student field trips and administering state standardized tests.[1][2]

Background

When a student registers with a virtual charter school, the school will provide them with a computer on loan and reimbursement for Internet access. At some schools, students who are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program may receive a free computer. Aside from full-time online distance instruction, the teaching methods used in virtual charter schools vary from school to school. Some schools deliver content primarily in digital textbooks and other Internet resources; others use print materials alongside online instruction. Younger students typically spend more time in offline activities such as reading or writing than older students. Teachers periodically meet face-to-face with their students, although this varies as well, meeting perhaps "as little as one or two times a year, or as frequently as one or two times a week."[2][3]

According to the Evergreen Education Group, 26 states had virtual charter schools in the 2014-2015 school year, up by one from the previous year. In its recent report evaluating the condition of the charter school movement nationwide, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools estimated there were 191 virtual charter schools in the 2012-2013 school year. Among the states with the most were California, Ohio and Wisconsin. Below is a chart that lists the states with virtual charter schools in that year. Included is the number virtual charter schools each state had and the number of students in those schools. The numbers are further broken down into the percentage of charter schools that were virtual and the percentage of charter school students that were in virtual schools.[4][5]

Support

Supporters of virtual charter schools find several benefits in them as an educational choice for students:

  • Flexibility in schedules and learning paces
  • More productive learning environment
  • Innovation in student assessment and feedback by the teacher

Because of these benefits, advocates argue that virtual charter schools are an important addition to the array of school choice options.[2][6]

Flexibility

Advocates claim that one benefit of virtual charter schools is their ability to adapt to individual learning needs. Many students who choose virtual schools do so for this reason. Virtual schools tend to be self-paced, so students who are behind can catch up on their own schedule, while advanced students can move on to new material when they're ready. Virtual schools can also work well for students with atypical schedules, such as aspiring actors and athletes. Sometimes students with a serious illness that prevents them from attending school will temporarily enroll in a virtual charter school to keep from falling behind.[2][6][7]

Productive learning environment

Another perceived benefit of virtual charter schools is the learning environment. Virtual schools allow students to take classes at home, away from the distractions that can be found in public schools. This is a particularly meaningful to parents who are worried about bullies and peer pressure. Furthermore, the behavioral discipline of students in virtual schools typically falls on the parents. Advocates argue that when teachers don't have to expend energy on disciplinary measures, they can focus more of their attention on instruction and the academic needs of their students.[2][6]

Innovative assessment methods

The virtual school model allows for differing methods of assessing student progress and providing feedback. Teachers in virtual schools communicate with students and parents in different ways, such as email, instant messaging and phone calls. Parents can use online systems to monitor their child's academic performance and progress.[2]

Criticism

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As the number of virtual charter schools has continued to rise, so has the debate surrounding their effects on the education system. Critics have pointed to numerous potential disadvantages of virtual schools as cause for concern:

  • Lower academic performance
  • Less development of social skills
  • Finance for virtual schools taken from district schools[2][6]

Performance

Critics of virtual charter schools reference their record of low performance when arguing against the creation of more virtual schools. They point to a report released by the National Education Policy Center in 2012 that found performance was significantly lower in virtual schools run by K12, Inc. than other charter schools and traditional public schools. The report also found that students were more likely to leave the schools within a year and less likely to graduate. Studies of other schools have delivered similar results.[7][8]

Socialization

Another argument against virtual schools is the lack of social interaction for students on a daily basis. Although students communicate with teachers and other students via the Internet, it is more difficult to build and maintain a schoolwide culture. Critics are concerned that students may feel lonely and isolated in their homes, and that they may be missing out on essential experiences provided by traditional schools. Questions have arisen of whether online communication and learning provides the same level of stimulation as face-to-face interaction.[2][6]

Money and influence

The funding of virtual charter schools has been the center of some of the biggest debates among politicians and education leaders. Critics contend these schools take money from traditional public schools. They are further concerned about that money being sent to for-profit companies that typically run virtual schools. Since many virtual schools are funded on a per-pupil basis by districts, traditional public schools have experienced a reduction in funding. Supporters of traditional schools are worried that cuts in funding will only make these schools worse off and force some of them to close.[6]

Further concern has been voiced on the influence the for-profit companies behind virtual schools have in developing legislation. Of note is an investigative report published by the Maine Sunday Telegram that looked at money spent by online education companies to influence the development of state policies in Maine. The report found that the companies, Connections Education and K12, Inc., as well as associated organizations, have worked with legislators to create laws friendly to online schools in Maine. Some of the changes in these laws would include requiring students at traditional public high schools to take online courses offered by the companies in order to graduate. The report won a George Polk Award for impactful education journalism in 2012.[7][9]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Uncommon Schools, "Frequently Asked Questions About Public, Charter Schools," accessed December 16, 2014
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 National Association of Charter School Authorizers, "An (Updated) Primer on Virtual Charter Schools: Mapping the Electronic Frontier," accessed December 16, 2014
  3. ↑ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Virtual schools chart new course," November 6, 2009
  4. ↑ Evergreen Education Group, "Keeping Pace with K-12 Digital Learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice (2014)," accessed December 16, 2014
  5. ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "The Health of the Public Charter School Movement: A State-By-State Analysis," accessed December 17, 2014
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Public School Review, "Virtual Charter Schools: Pros and Cons of the Growing Trend," accessed December 17, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Portland Press Herald, "Special Report: The profit motive behind virtual schools in Maine," September 1, 2012
  8. ↑ National Education Policy Center, "Report Shows Students Attending K12 Inc. Cyber Schools Fall Behind," July 18, 2012"
  9. ↑ Long Island University, "Past Award Winners," accessed December 17, 2014
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