Virtual Schools Win Real Victory in Court

Virtual schools won a major victory in a Wisconsin courtroom recently. The largest teachers union in Wisconsin had filed suit against Wisconsin Virtual Academy in 2004, but Judge Joseph McCormack ruled against the union.

The Wisconsin Education Association Council claimed that virtual schools rely on parents to do some teacher duties instead of using state-certified teachers.

It also said such schools misuse the state's open enrollment program.

But the judge dismissed the council's arguments, saying the School Board is within its rights to figure out how to partner teachers and parents for the best interest of students.

He also says the open enrollment program doesn't prohibit students from using the Internet to get a public education.

Virtual schools are run by several states, including Wisconsin, Texas, and Florida. South Carolina legislators are considering a bill to establish a statewide virtual school. Some universities are also running virtual schools.

This CSM article discusses some of the issues involved in virtual schooling, and how the concept relates at times to the charter school and home school movements.

For those readers who want to delve more deeply into the history, and more technical details of virtual schooling, take a look at this pdf study from one of the foremost experts on virtual schooling.

I like the idea of educational choice. Corruption in government education has become much too blatant and destructive toward students, taxpayers, and the body politic. Being able to sidestep that corruption in any way possible, is not a bad thing.