Education Week reports that school districts are trying to compete with online/virtual school programs. In Pennsylvania, for example, the demand for virtual school courses is strong, forcing districts to find ways of attracting students back to the district.
North Carolina has one virtual school, the state-operated NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS). Unfortunately, the Charter School Advisory Board and the courts have not been kind to private online school providers. Both K12 and Connections Academy have tried to negotiate the charter school approval process, but neither have been successful.
Despite demand for private online school options in North Carolina, state education officials maintain worries, some legitimate, about the operation of multiple virtual school providers in North Carolina.
Perhaps a virtual school pilot project is the best way to go.
