Learn about online high schools in Idaho, free online high schools, and earning a high school diploma online
Public schools chief Tom Luna championed legislation that cleared the 2011 session and directs the board to draft a rule on online course requirements. Luna, who sits on the board, wanted to require high school students to take four online course credits to graduate — but that provision was dumped amid lawmaker concerns.
For the rest of the article, go to Idaho board looks at online course requirement for high school students
BOISE – Among the little-noticed provisions of the complex, sweeping school reform bill that’s rocketing through the Idaho Legislature is one that would double-fund virtual charter schools for their existing computers.
SB 1184, state schools Superintendent Tom Luna’s reform bill that passed the Senate on Thursday and is awaiting consideration in the House, sets a goal of a 1-to-1 ratio of computers to high school students, phased in over several years, and it shifts money out of the state’s teacher-salary fund to pay for the purchases. But school districts that already have reached that 1-to-1 ratio will get the money as discretionary funds, to use for whatever they like.
Here’s where the double-funding comes in: Idaho already has paid for one computer for every student at virtual charter schools, which are online charter schools in which students study at home and are issued computers and other materials; Idaho has three, with more than 4,000 students enrolled.
For the rest of the article, go to Eye on Boise: Reform bill has good news for virtual charter schools
Among the little-noticed provisions of the complex, sweeping school reform bill that’s rocketing through the Idaho Legislature is one that would double-fund virtual charter schools for their existing computers; here’s a link to my column from Sunday’s Spokesman-Review taking a look at the issue.
For the rest of the article, go to Reform bill has good news for virtual charter schools
Last year, lawmakers requested a report from the state Department of Education on how the transportation funds it sends out to school districts are spent; a task force looked into the issue, and came back with its “Pupil Transportation Report – 2010 Legislative Report.” Among its findings: About six years earlier, the Legislature had authorized funding student computers and other high-tech equipment for virtual charter schools from the state’s pupil transportation funds, reasoning that where brick-and-mortar schools have to transport students to school, virtual charter schools use computers to transport the education to the students.
The report found, “Virtual Charter Schools ‘transportation’ reimbursement represents approximately $1,200,000 in pupil transportation funding each year and continues to grow with each new virtual charter school,” and recommended that the practice end. “The Task Force feels that this program offers no true incentives for virtual schools to find ways to reduce their cost in ‘transportation’ expenses and that if the Legislature wants to continue to fund virtual schools technology use in homes, then it should be done by means of an alternate funding mechanism.”
For the rest of the article, go to SB 1184 would double-fund virtual charter schools for existing computers
Many states are increasingly learning the same lesson. A combination of higher proficiency standards and tighter budgets are prompting school officials to look more closely than ever at online education. In recent years, several states have put forward plans to expand the reach of virtual schools. Most prominent is Idaho, where state Superintendent Tom Luna wants to require students to take online courses in order to graduate.
“Budgets are being cut,” says Susan Patrick, president of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning. “We can’t do more with less by continuing to do the same thing we’ve always done.”
For the rest of the article, go to Virtual education boom hits the states
It wasn’t Popkey’s story alone that informed the protestors’ conspiratorial suspicions. Days earlier, the Associated Press exposed a too-cozy relationship between the Idaho’s philanthropic Albertson Foundation and Virginia-based K12 Inc., a private education company that donated nearly $30,000 to Luna’s last campaign. The Albertson Foundation had been donating millions to the Idaho Virtual Academy, an online school that bought much of its curricula from K12. Meanwhile, the foundation chairman and Albertson’s supermarket heir Joseph Scott runs a private investment firm, Alscott Inc., which recently profited $15 million from the sale of its stock in—you guessed it—K12. In other words, the charity was funneling money to an education company that it also owned stock in, boosting profits for both in a clear conflict of interest.
“Those may be some of the most troubling allegations of all,” Cronin said. He is also troubled by the way the reforms were originally crafted. In the wide-ranging proposals, only a small wage-related portion was negotiated beforehand with representatives of the teachers’ union.
For the rest of the article, go to Idaho Education Reform: Apples For Teachers?
SUGAR CITY, Idaho — As legislators consider superintendent Tom Luna’s education reforms in Boise, one local school is ahead of the curve when it comes to technology.
It was fast fingers for Ali Garrett as she logged onto the Idaho Digital Learning Academy on Tuesday morning for her health occupation class.
“I personally think online classes are good for everyone,” said the junior.
For the rest of the article, go to Local High School Requires Online Courses
Although the choices on offer cater for a range of different interests and learning styles, the qualifications obtained by students are not guaranteed recognition from universities and colleges.
The news follows a report by KiviTV, which revealed that nearly 1,000 students have signed up to the iSucceed Virtual High School based in Boise, Idaho.
For the rest of the article, go to E-learning programme “a wonderful resource”
Connections Academy – Offers a solid free online home school program. Connections Academy provides a new form of free public school that students can attend from home. The program combines parental involvement, expertise and accountability, and flexibility of classes.
eHarvey – An online school combining three different complementary technologies to provide a robust, flexible and supportive online learning experience.
For the rest of the article, go to 10 Websites That Make Homeschooling Easy
i. Students taking virtual online classes have already admitted throughout the course of the Senate Education Committee hearings that this is happening. There must be beta test groups to prevent this before the bill can be passed.
ii. A simple online search demonstrates how to get around net-filters and discover how easy it is.
iii. “Many districts install an Internet filter and assume all is well. But a filter alone can’t deal effectively with the barrage of attacks made against a network on a daily basis. A multi-pronged defense needs to be in place to protect students and prevent inappropriate access to the Internet.” (The Internet Filtering Battlefield; Keep one step ahead of students and teachers by making your network safe from proxy servers. Stan Trevena)
For the rest of the article, go to American Falls High School Student Challenges Luna to a Debate
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