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I am happy to hear that you will be talking with Jerry Wilkes of Oregon Connections Academy.  This is an innovative online charter school that reaches many of the children who do not fit in the "middle".

ORCA works really well for many families.  The fact that they have their own "learning coach" (usually a parent) who oversees their work and answers their questions makes it really effective for children with special needs.

My son is very quick to learn, and he can go through the curriculum at his own pace.  There is immediate feedback on how he is performing, and he can check the status of his grades and assignments at anytime.  Parents in my area are very frustrated that their children are not challenged or stimulated.  The philosophy tends to be "they will all meet th requirements at the same time".

ORCA is at risk of losing it's charter because of the 50/50 rule, which I'm sure Jerry Wilkes will address.  Some of the rationale seems to be that even though ORCA costs about $4000 less per student than a bricks and mortar school, most of those kids come in from homeschooling, and so actually cost the state more money.  I am offended that my child is not considered worth state funding.

I do not live in Portland, so my children can not take advantage of LEP and other options.  An online education allows my son to get a quality, individual education.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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