The Muddled State of K-12 Virtual Learning Policy � The Quick and the Ed

The Muddled State of K-12 Virtual Learning Policy � The Quick and the Ed

K-12 virtual schooling’s rapid growth continues, but state policy remains muddled. More ominously, many state funding decisions are disappointingly unrelated from quality, performance, or demand for these programs.

In states like Missouri, state-run virtual schools that are funded by appropriations outside of the traditional funding formulas are easy targets for budget-cutters.

Other state programs, for example in Idaho, are threatened because of their growing total costs–even if the program is cost-effective on a per student basis and the cost growth is directly related to increased student demand and enrollment.

Ironically, while Missouri and Idaho are working to undermine investments in their state virtual schools, other states such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, and New York are trying to get statewide efforts started.

Many states, such as Oregon and Wisconsin, are bumping up against limits on enrollment in full-time virtual programs.

There’s not really a consistent partisan rhyme or reason to these efforts. For example, in Idaho, the Republican governor is attempting to zero-out the state program. While in Virginia, the new Republican governor is pushing hard for new virtual schooling legislation. North Carolina’s Democratic governor was a proponent of the state’s very popular virtual school when