Value Of Virtual Schools Debated

The AP (12/19, Moreno, Wyatt) reports on the rise in students attending virtual schools, but notes that "as states pour money into virtual classrooms, with an estimated 200,000 virtual K-12 students in 40 states from Washington to Wisconsin, educators are raising questions about online learning. States are taking halting steps to increase oversight, but regulation isn't moving nearly as fast as the virtual school boom." Noting the conflict between "traditional education backers, often teachers' unions," and policymakers seeking savings, the article explores whether "online education [is] as good as face-to-face teaching." The piece cites ED research touted by online learning firms showing that "K-12 students did as well or better in online learning conditions as in a traditional classroom. But critics say most studies, including many in that 2009 review, used results from students taking only some - but not all - of their courses online."