exvigilare

I mentioned that my household is part of the Colorado Virtual Academy. CNN Money has a write up of COVA’s core curriculum, K12.

K12 launched its business in September 2001, when it contracted with the states of Pennsylvania and Colorado to serve 900 students from kindergarten to second grade. Since then it has scaled up in every dimension and currently serves 27,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in 16 states and in the District of Columbia.

When K12 contracts with a public schooling agency, it does not just sell the materials but takes responsibility for managing its virtual school. It hires teachers, manages enrollment and has to deal with any operating deficits. As a result, many of its expenses are similar to that of a private school — minus the buildings, of course.

With this caveat:

Politically, virtual schools are not universally popular. In Indiana, the legislature recently voted to suspend funding for virtual schools that deliver more than 50% of their content over the Internet. Virtual schools also are facing lawsuits in Wisconsin and Chicago by those who oppose their existence.

Even for normal schools, public funding is sometimes cut or delayed due to budget deficits and political squabbling.

Political squabbling like we’re seeing here in Colorado. Ben offers up a nice reminder of that today.