Why Is Public Education Being Outsourced to Online Charter Schools?

[marmar]

from AlterNet:



By Rania Khalek

Why Is Public Education Being Outsourced to Online Charter Schools?
Virtual charter schools are educating kids on computer screens, instead of in classrooms.

January 8, 2012


Virtual charter schools, which offer classes online instead of in a classroom, have become the fastest-growing segment of the charter school industry. And while data on their effectiveness is scarce, state legislators across the country are passing laws to expand cyber schools at the behest of privatization advocates and online education companies at an alarming rate, with little regulation.

The Associated Press reports that more than 200,000 kindergarten to 12th grade students are enrolled in full-time “virtual charter schools” in at least 40 states. That number soars to two million schoolchildren nationwide when one takes into account students who are enrolled in at least one course.

The last year alone has seen virtual schools dramatically expand across the country. According to the AP, “Ohio lifted a moratorium on new ‘e-schools,’ and Utah passed a ‘virtual voucher’ law,” which lets high school kids determine which classes they prefer to take online and at school. Another roundup by the Wall Street Journal includes similar moves in Virginia, which signed off on 13 new cyberschools. Florida now mandates that high school students enroll in one online course at a minimum and Idaho has moved to implement a requirement for at least two online courses. Georgia offers an app that lets high-schoolers take classes on their smartphones, reports the Journal.

Follow the Money Trail

Five for-profit companies control the cyberschool market: K12 Inc., Connections Academy, Educational Options, Apex Learning, and Plato. These virtual charter school providers supply course material, keep track of student achievement and hire educators. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/education/153680/why_is_public_education_being_outsourced_to_online_charter_schools/

[liberal N proud]

1. Another right wing money grab

If there is a way to make someone rich off the public, the GOP can find it.

Killing public education is just one of those ways.

[yurbud]

2. this has the side effect of making it harder for kids to learn how to engage others and therefore...

harder to organize effectively against the corporatocracy.

[Starry Messenger]

3. To cut labor costs and pocket the profits, natch.