Oregon Senate Bill 767 is going up for a vote. If you live in Oregon, this may eliminate virtual public schools as an option for your child by blocking existing virtual public schools from enrolling new students and new virtual public schools from opening in Oregon.
Taking away virtual school options can only have two outcomes; forcing kids who aren’t a good fit into traditional schools, or forcing families who may not be up to the task to home school on their own.
Virtual public schools allow accelerated learners to learn at their own pace under the guidance of teachers in a fully accredited program meeting or exceeding all state and federal guidelines, where the ability to transfer to a traditional school means all their work will transfer with them, for full credit. It means the same for students whose commitment to athletic pursuits or other special circumstances mean that they can’t attend a regular school.
Gifted children in K-2 who are not yet eligible for the G&T program that begins in 3rd grade should be of particular concern, since an advanced student who isn’t challenged is more likely to underperform.
We enrolled our oldest in Connections Academy, a virtual public school, when the mainstream kindergarten we originally enrolled her in wanted to place her in special education for fear that she wouldn’t test well. She has Asperger’s. Call us crazy, but we didn’t believe an advanced learner belonged in special ed. She proved us right by excelling in her Connections program, where she enrolled doing first grade curriculum and completed her year with straight As. And not only did she test well, she exceeded all state requirements.
Connections provided us with excellent curriculum, a caring and qualified teacher, an easy to follow program, and the ability to accelerate her learning further as the year progressed and she proved herself ready for more. The virtual school also provided social opportunities via the online clubs and forums, field trips, and regular group classes online.
I believe virtual public schooling is an education alternative that’s invaluable to students and families, and to the larger communities who benefit from well-educated children who grow up to become volunteers, workers, and even employers in those communities, and whose extra-curricular pursuits bring recognition to those same communities.
Not every child fits the traditional mold, but every child deserves the best possible education. Vote no on Oregon Senate Bill 767 and keep virtual public school doors open.
Who’s decided this is a good idea? Palm smacks head.
Well, as usual it’s about money, in this case the schools who feel they are losing money by losing students in their districts to virtual public schools. But this isn’t going to regain them students. It’s more likely to create unsupported home schooling or drive parents to go into debt to pay for private school. Because there’s a reason these kids aren’t in the standard public school to begin with!
If I lived there, I’d vote no.
Like you, I believe not all children fit the traditional mold of regular school.
Not all parents can home school without losing their sanity either. 😉
Granted my two minions loved public school, if they needed another option, I’d want that choice available.
Yes, schools are strapped for cash in this economy but denying kids the option for success no matter where it is, isn’t the way to keep parents and children in that district.
I’ll keep my toes crossed that Bill fails.
K.
Thanks, Kristen!
As a husband of an Oregon Connections Academy teacher, I am appalled that people are suckered into believing that virtual schools take away students and money. Not only could this bill take away options for the education of our future, it will also put teachers out of work. It is disgusting to see that people are ok with this.
I’m hopeful that the bill won’t pass. In order to compete on a global level, US students in all states need more options, not fewer.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the bill won’t pass.
Thanks, Ann!