Virtual schools face opposition from teachers
State considers legislation banning two of Ball State's charter schools
Daniel Human
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Ball State University will open the digital doors to two virtual charter schools in the fall, but not without facing opposition from the state legislature and Indiana's largest teachers union.
Last week, Democrats in the state House of Representatives proposed provisions in the budget that could ban virtual charter schools, said Dan Clark, deputy executive director of the Indiana State Teachers Association.
"There will be a vote on it [this] week," Clark said. "They're pretty serious."
According to the Ball State Office of Charter Schools, a virtual charter school would provide more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instruction through distance learning.
Clark said the ISTA has two main concerns regarding the virtual charter schools: funding and whether the law allows virtual charter schools.
"The law was never intended to allow virtual charter schools," Clark said. "Also, there are students in the state with greater needs than those Ball State intends to serve."
Larry Gabbert, director for the Ball State's Office of Charter Schools, said Ball State would open the Indiana Virtual Charter School based in Indianapolis and the Indiana Connections Academy based in Muncie.
"Online learning is a growing trend," Gabbert said. "We've had a few people express concerns. It's a whole new thing, a little unknown, and that can concern people."
Indiana would be one of 15 states with virtual charter schools, Gabbert said. He was not aware of any research to support the ISTA's claims against them, he said.
"What it really comes down to is what happens at the end of the day," Gabbert said. "Just because somebody is talking about change at this point, that doesn't mean it'll happen. We'll see what happens at the end of the day, if anything."
Clark said the virtual charter school will receive about $10 million for the student body, which the ISTA believes is too much.
Gabbert said the maximum enrollment for the Indiana Virtual Charter School is 1,500 students and the Indiana Connections Academy is 700.
Last week, Democrats in the state House of Representatives proposed provisions in the budget that could ban virtual charter schools, said Dan Clark, deputy executive director of the Indiana State Teachers Association.
"There will be a vote on it [this] week," Clark said. "They're pretty serious."
According to the Ball State Office of Charter Schools, a virtual charter school would provide more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instruction through distance learning.
Clark said the ISTA has two main concerns regarding the virtual charter schools: funding and whether the law allows virtual charter schools.
"The law was never intended to allow virtual charter schools," Clark said. "Also, there are students in the state with greater needs than those Ball State intends to serve."
Larry Gabbert, director for the Ball State's Office of Charter Schools, said Ball State would open the Indiana Virtual Charter School based in Indianapolis and the Indiana Connections Academy based in Muncie.
"Online learning is a growing trend," Gabbert said. "We've had a few people express concerns. It's a whole new thing, a little unknown, and that can concern people."
Indiana would be one of 15 states with virtual charter schools, Gabbert said. He was not aware of any research to support the ISTA's claims against them, he said.
"What it really comes down to is what happens at the end of the day," Gabbert said. "Just because somebody is talking about change at this point, that doesn't mean it'll happen. We'll see what happens at the end of the day, if anything."
Clark said the virtual charter school will receive about $10 million for the student body, which the ISTA believes is too much.
Gabbert said the maximum enrollment for the Indiana Virtual Charter School is 1,500 students and the Indiana Connections Academy is 700.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Chris
posted 2/19/07 @ 4:31 PM EST
Online classes are usefull and do serve a purpose, but honestly some people learn better with a professor. I think that both options should be availible to the student. (Continued…)
Robert Frame
posted 2/21/07 @ 10:25 PM EST
Globalization applies to virtual schools/distance learning as well as to other sectors of our economy. Unless Indiana provides distance learning opportunities to its youthful residents, other US states will, as well as India and other low-wage nations that read, speak and write English. (Continued…)
deborah
posted 3/07/07 @ 8:09 PM EST
omg.....teachers are just mad that parent have a choice in how there kids will be educated...haha i love it!!! i have had many problems with teachers . (Continued…)
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