Virtual Schools: An in-depth report
10:11 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2007
A new report done by the state of Kansas reveals some virtual school students are falling through the cracks.
49 News' Jana Corrie got answers from state education leaders about how they plan to fix problems.
She also learned what these virtual schools are all about, and why they could change the future of education.
Traditional school just didn't add up for 15-year-old Tamaron Gwinn.
"I would have trouble with the teachers not explaining the stuff that I needed to know," Tamaron said.
She had too many distractions and didn't feel safe.
"Just worrying about if you're going to come home safe," Tamaron said.
Learn More
The full post audit report (in PDF format) is available from the Kansas Legislature, as well as the Executive Summary.
More facts and information on virtual schools are available from the Kansas Department of Education.
The Lawrence Journal-World ran a comprehensive series of articles on home schooling in Kansas on May 13, 2007. To access these reports, tap into Learning Outside the Lines.
So in January, her mom Monica enrolled her in the Turning Point Learning Center Virtual School in the Emporia School District.
"It's a way of keeping her at home and sheltering her to some extent, but still getting a good education," Monica Gwinn said.
"I usually get more done then a public school would or even a private school,"Tamaron said. "And I get more Bible in."
Gina Scali is the virtual school coordinator and the only employee.
She offers free tutoring and music lessons for her virtual students.
Turning Point had 22 students last year, the first year in operation.
This year, 59 virtual students are enrolled.
"All of my students are home-schooled, so the only difference is that I'm offering them curriculum and lesson plans to help them structure their teaching," Scali said.
Another big difference is that districts get money for each virtual student, but not home school students.
And virtual students can live anywhere in the state of Kansas.
"When you are bringing new kids into the district, you are bringing money and funding to the district, so the more students I'm able to enroll in my virtual program from outside the district, the more money our district will get," Scali said.
And virtual schools cost much less to operate, from $300 to $5,000 less per student.
And with money to be made, that's why competition is brewing.
The first virtual school in Kansas opened in 1999. Now there are 28.
And there has been an increase from 60 full-time virtual students to 2000.
Virtual schools have taken off, but regulation and oversight have not kept up, according to this state report.
In it, Kansas' actual oversight of virtual schools is weak. The Department lost track of which virtual schools were registered. Virtual students scored lower on state assessment tests, especially in math.
Corrie asked Deputy Commissioner of School Innovations Dr. Larry Englebrick why the Department of Education isn't doing enough for virtual school students.
"The state department has not been able to follow through on what the post audit committee believes is enough oversight of those programs," Englebrick said. "It's an issue that's been brought up and it's one we are addressing currently and adjustments will be made."
Dr. Englebrick says the changes to counteract the problems outlined in this report will be made before the next school year starts in the Fall.
We will continue to monitor the progress.
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