This week's reading that was particularly interesting to me is the number of states that have virtual schools but Delaware and New York does not. Delaware Virtual School was eliminated due to state budget deficit which is understandable but New York who has a cap on charter schools has barely eliminated the creation of virtual schools. I wonder if this would change as NYC re-elected Michael Bloomberg, who is an 'advocate' for charter schools. Another interesting point is how there are only 3 states that decrease online learning opportunities (OR, DE, and CT) but CA is not listed as CA has the biggest state deficit. So is state deficit the real reason in cutting online learning or is there other motives?
Has your thinking changed as a result of what you learned this week?
My thinking has not changed as I might be 'stubborn' sometimes. The more I read the readings the more I'm skeptical as to how virtual schools are run? Are they merely run for profit reasons or for providing QUALITY education to needy kids.
It is NY State that doesn't allow online schooling, not NY City--where there are districts that are looking into it.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what you mean about the funding. Many states present online learning as a cost-saving measure, while other states say that it takes money away from public education. This difference has a lot to do with whether they are talking about online schooling or online schools.
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification on NY state not allowing it. Does it have to do with the strong teacher's union?
Well, I should really say policy and funding development that decreases online learning opportunities as mentioned in Keeping Pace article. So my statement is true than it's not really funding issues but really policy issues. I agree with you that some view online schooling or online schools can provide cost-saving measures but some view it as a take away from public education and that might be why NY state doesn't allow it.
I don't know if it is the teachers' union in NY State. I do know that that has been the case in other states, although it doesn't entirely make sense as long as the school is requiring certified teachers. I think the dispute may have more to do with charters vs. public schools than online vs. f2f.
ReplyDelete