Each school district would be required to provide online learning courses to “eligible students” on the school and district level, unless it would have a negative financial impact on the district. A student could only be deemed eligible by a district appointed student advisory team.
The bill, however, passed without the changes offered Tuesday by the OEA to grandfather in existing virtual charter schools. As it stands, it would require the closure of these schools, making them reopen as alternative schools, most often associated with educating districts’ “most at-risk” students.
Last year, the OEA proposed the State Board of Education recommend the online school consortium to the legislature. The recommendation included stripping online schools from the charter school model leaving it for “brick and mortar” schools where students attend class in person. They also asked to allow the virtual charter schools to stay open as alternative schools.
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