Senate OKs Creating Virtual School

The Kansas City Star
KELLY WIESE
Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Senate passed legislation Thursday allowing for creation of a statewide "virtual school," which would allow students to take courses over the Internet.
The bill by Sen. Jack Goodman would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a virtual school by July 2007. Students could either attend the virtual school exclusively or use it to take classes beyond the traditional ones in their school building.
Supporters believe the school could help a variety of students, including those who are expelled, home-schooled, disabled or so bright they need tougher courses.
"This program will allow these gifted children to be challenged," Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, said. "They're not necessarily held back by a group of their fellow students," if they can attend a virtual school.
Nearly half of states already have virtual school programs. The bill would require Missouri's virtual school to meet the same standards as a typical school district, such as using certified teachers, having an approved curriculum, taking state standardized tests and making progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
The measure also spells out that state officials would have to approve more than one curriculum provider, such as a private company or another state's virtual school program. That way, parents and students could choose materials to fit their needs.
Goodman said parental involvement would be even more important than in a regular school setting, but teachers would work with students directly at least weekly, by phone or in person.
The state, not families, would provide the funding. Enrollment in the virtual school would be limited in the first year to 500 full-time students, Goodman said, but could be expanded in the future, depending on interest and funding.
A House version of the legislation already cleared the House and awaits action by a Senate committee.