Virtual Schools

Virtual Schools: From Rivalry to Partnership was a very interesting article for me to read!  I work in a somewhat small district, and I work in a multitude of jobs:  English teacher, history teacher, guidance counselor, and school improvement chair.  I see many "sides" to the virtual high school option.

As a teacher, I hear complaints from my peers about virtual education.  Many teachers in my district are convinced that Michigan Virtual High School is responsible for some layoffs and cutbacks that have occurred in our district.  As a counselor, I get frustrated by the lack of electives we have to offer as the cutbacks have occurred.  The only way for me to offer my students some classes they want is through Michigan Virtual High School.  As a school improvement chair, the failure rate in these classes is alarming; what can we do to fix it when we are not even the "real" teachers?? 

This article offered the idea that virtual schools and traditional schools need to stop competing with each other; they instead need to work together to create the best educational opportunities for students.  In theory, I agree!!!  However, I am not sure how this works.  You see, public school districts have to pay money for kids to take MVHS classes unless they take those classes as an "extra" hour or they elect to take a virtual class instead of a class offered at the high school.  Some students do pay for their virtual "7th hour" classes.  In this case, I think the situation presented by the author is realized!  However, before I totally embrace the idea of virtual education, I believe the virtual schools need to be held more accountable for their students.  Some teachers--and some schools--are wonderful!!  Others are not. 

I would be interested in learning of schools where this partnership truly exists.