Free Republic

A Virginia company leading a national movement to replace classrooms with computers — in which children as young as 5 can learn at home at taxpayer expense — is facing a backlash from critics who are questioning its funding, quality and oversight. K12 Inc. of Herndon has become the country’s largest provider of full-time public virtual schools, upending the traditional American notion that learning occurs in a schoolhouse where students share the experience. In K12’s virtual schools, learning is largely solitary, with lessons delivered online to a child who progresses at her own pace. Conceived as a way to teach...

President Obama discussed the economy in his Oval Office Address. He said ‘economy’ three times, ‘debt’ - zero, ‘deficits’ - one, ‘jobs’ – two and ‘education’ three times. Wow, what’s up with the education? For too long, we have put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base to our energy policy to education reform... As always President Obama’s words lack details. Unlike the due dates for withdrawal from Afghanistan that are cut in stone by the Commander-in-Chief, the details about what ‘education reform’ means are missing. Those who fell once for the vague ‘hope and change’ slogan...

TALLAHASSEE — When students go to school, they usually have to go to school. That is, walk into a classroom setting, sit down with a teacher and scribble some notes while surrounded by their peers. The Internet age is changing that, and state lawmakers seem ready to jump on the wagon for good. Committees in the [FL] House and Senate advanced bills with little opposition Tuesday that would make Florida's pilot "virtual school" program a permanent reality. The [FL] state Department of Education has been paying private companies to run a pilot program that allows 800 students from kindergarten through...

Bill would create 'virtual schools' for K through 12 Sunday, March 5, 2006 MARK BLISS ~ Southeast Missourian Some area school superintendents worry about the financial effect on local districts. Missouri children could get an education -- kindergarten through high school -- without ever setting foot in a school building under legislation working its way through the Missouri House. The bill would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a "virtual school" by July 1, 2007. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade could enroll full- or part-time in a virtual school. Proponents say it would be the...