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slackr,

If I understand correctly you would prefer the alternative that removes the 10 unruly kids from class ("finding alternatives"). Where would you have them go? To another overcrowded classroom? How does that help the kids already in that class? Or do you hire another teacher just for those kids? If schools weren't constrained by their current budget crisis then that might work fine. If your scenario were a reality then there wouldn't be nearly as many families looking for non-traditional options.

So do we increase funding to traditional schools and attempt to hire more teachers? Maybe. Another option exists to spend no additional funds yet provide a better environment option for some students.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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TANZEN, you're describing an "Personalized Education Plan" where specific curricula and methods and ongoing feedback and courses flexibility all combine to offer the perfect plan for each student.

I would submit that the online virtual public charter schools operating in Oregon get much closer to this ideal than traditional schools. Hopefully ALL education platforms will get there!

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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It would be hard to argue that cheating / "extra collaboration" doesn't happen in traditional settings. Our online school consistently reminds coaches of their role and responsibility to prevent dishonesty, but there are of course bad coaches and/or inventive students who will still cheat if they really want to. Obviously that only hurts the student and the system overall, and that's no different in traditional, online, private or college courses.

FYI students enrolled in virtual education are required to pass their state tests in a tightly-controlled environment with trained adjudicators.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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I think a personalized plan, tailored to each student's requirements and abilities, is the best plan. For some that's traditional. For some that's virtual. For some that's blended. We can't put everyone into this-or-that box.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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Actual, reliable cost comparisons for online vs. B&M are tough to find. The anti-virtual crowd claims that online schooling costs WAY less than traditional school because they don't have to pay for gymnasiums, utilities, athletics, busing, (and many other non-traditional-education-related expenses). However the online side does have to invest more in computer and other hardware, curriculum development (tailored to a virtual world), student tracking, website development, etc.

I suppose this is something proponents of HB3660 are looking for, a "peek inside" how virtual online charters operate. Although the same scrutiny could and should go into operating expenses for traditional schools as well.

The big difference here is that charters are not typically subject to the same administrative regulation as traditional schools. Shouldn't it be the RESULTS that matter? If the Legislature decides (as they already have) that they are willing to pay $x per student for education, then so long as the students are learning and achieving does it matter how much of that $x went to pay for lights vs. books?

Personally I think the State should continue to investigate how the traditional school students are funded and adjust their funding rate accordingly. Then if charters are willing to provide an education opportunity for the same cost, AND SHOW ACHIEVEMENT comparable to or better than the traditional schools, then everybody wins and we should all be happy.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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We also know people who have "tried it out" and decided traditional school worked better for them. I don't see much harm in test-driving to see how it works! :+)

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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Speaking from personal experience, it is NOT a "luxury." :+)

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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I don't have the stats at hand, but I am quite sure the online virtual students aren't comprised of only the "best students" who fled traditional public school. In our family we have one student who excels across the board, another who excels in a few subjects, another I would consider "average" compared to his peers, and a fourth who has definite special learning disabilities.

But let's say for this discussion that your hypothesis is correct, and the "achievement level" of students in public school drops as the "gifted students" look for another option. Wouldn't a lower student:teacher ratio allow teachers to focus more on those in class?

Remember we're currently talking about only 1% of the students in Oregon, but would it be THAT different if 2% or even 3% found an alternative that worked better for them?

To all of these arguments there are "positive" and "negative" spins. Too bad each side thinks theirs is the ONLY right answer.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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If there are options to mitigate bullying, taunting, or any other socially-unacceptable behavior, why not take that option? We don't live in a society (yet) that requires everyone to live with the poor social behavior of others ... there are ways to deal with problems and that is what we all need to learn.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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I have yet to hear someone suggest that we should be closing down B&M schools in favor of virtual online education. Some students do well in traditional settings, others thrive working online. Currently the online method costs the state less money, and often achieves better results.

Students (and parents) should be able to choose what education option works best for them.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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Participating in a radio show or giving a speech to a sizeable crowd or participating in any activity where the spotlight is on you can be intimidating, especially when you're not used to it. My wife (not home- or virtual-schooled) called in to the show this morning. Her next call was to me to talk about how nervous she was, and that the thoughts didn't come out the way she had wanted.

I think we can give Buddy or anyone else some slack on how they deal with this sort of forum, with people they don't know, "on the air" for the world to hear.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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It's anything BUT an "easy out." It takes considerable time, dedication, and sacrifice on the part of the parent or aunt or grandparent or whoever works with the child. It takes away my time from TV, reduces my hours at work, prevents my wife from pursuing her hobbies to the extent she might otherwise.

But for us, those sacrifices are worth the benefits to our students. We get to spend quality time with them, 1-on-1, learning right along with them. We share both their frustrations when dealing with difficult concepts or assignments, and also their happiness at achieving success.

We are  extremely happy with the flexibility offered by the curriculum. One student works well early in the morning, while another works better in the evenings. Why "force" kids to fit their schedules to an arbitrary timeframe, just because the majority of adults do?

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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My elementary-aged kids in our online virtual get WAY more quality F2F time with their learning coach than they EVER did with their teacher of 30+ students.

I completely agree with you that social development is critical and families need to find ways to foster interaction with other kids their age.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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We enrolled our son in ORCA Kindergarten this year even though he had fulfilled Kindergarten at our local B&M last year. Since he already has mastered many of the concepts we can breeze through them. He's on track to also finish 1st grade this year. This sort of flexibility is a huge benefit for students who progress at a different rate than the "average" learner.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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