More Schools Offering Full-Time Virtual Programs: Clip Resized 41%

The Dewey County Record
er 24, 2019
More schools offering full-

time virtual programs
By Mia Mamone Springs Virtual Academy,
For Oklahoma Watch which began offering a fully
Oct Melanie Brungardt’s four
children were frustrated at
virtual K-12 program this
year.
24 school. 6RPHVFKRRORI¿FLDOVVD\
Brungardt, of Oklahoma the trend is being driven by
City, said some Putnam a need to stay relevant in a
City Schools classes had too technological world. But an-
2019 er
p many students, and teachers other factor is Epic Charter
were forced to spend more Schools’ drawing students
time on behavioral issues away from district schools.
Page and less time on instilling Pawhuska Superintendent
A007 knowledge. She understood David Cash told a Bartles-
teachers’ challenges, but “as ville radio station that the
Clip h a parent, you hate sending district will offer a virtual
resized your kid to school all day to academy this year to counter
not learn anything.” Epic’s growing popularity in
41% The family considered Osage County.
homeschooling but decided The question that nags
z against it – and ruled out these schools is the same one
virtual charter schools – be- that troubles virtual charters:
tz
3 cause her kids didn’t want to Is the quality of online edu-
C miss out on sports and band. cation the same as that of in-
a So they opted for something person instruction? School
9
0
else: Putnam City’s own full- RI¿FLDOVDUHQ¶WUHDOO\VXUH
e time virtual program. A Need for Data
d In recent years, most of 6WHI¿H &RUFRUDQ D
el the attention on online edu- spokeswoman for the Okla-
d
cation has been on virtual homa State Department of
charter schools such as Epic, Education, said virtual pro-
whose enrollment has soared grams are governed by lo-
to more than 24,000. The cally elected school boards,
school is being investigated which still must meet state
for alleged fraud and misuse and federal standards. Dis-
of public funds, which Epic tricts aren’t required to meas-
denies. ure differences in success be-
Less visible is the grow- tween partially or fully vir-
I ing number of brick-and- tual students and traditional
mortar districts that are of- students. Many districts have
fering full-time online pro- only implemented their on-
grams. line programs in recent years
The state doesn’t track and don’t have the data yet to
the number of districts with make comparisons.
online courses or how many Some districts, like
students are enrolled part- Cleveland, are watching
time or full-time. But a check some metrics. This school
of district websites and other \HDUZLOOEHLWV¿UVWWRRIIHUD
web sources indicates at least fully virtual program and the
20 districts offer such pro- third for a blended program,
grams. which Superintendent Aaron
School Districts With On- Espolt said has been success-
line Classes ful so far.
At least 20 Oklahoma “We don’t have a lot of
school districts offer fully data yet,” Espolt said. “But
online education, blended our ACT results have been
education or both. Some higher than they were in
districts offer these options brick-and-mortar.”
for K-12, while others offer Some online programs
them for grades 6-12 or just raise questions. Their cours-
high school. The state does es may rely on teaching done
not track the number of types through curriculum systems
of programs. like Odysseyware, which
Supplemental online provides remote instruction
courses have been available E\FHUWL¿HGWHDFKHUVQRWDI¿O-
in traditional schools since at iated with the district. Many
least 2010 and are required of the teachers are likely out
by law. But more students of state. Other concerns have
and parents are seeking full- to do with whether certain
time virtual education, and students will fall behind or
districts are reshaping their be tempted to cheat or take
models to accommodate shortcuts.
them. Many districts have ap-
Q The programs offer ad- plication processes that en-
RI vantages over virtual char- sure both virtual students
KH
ter schools because students and their parents understand
retain access to campus what is expected of them.
amenities such as libraries, They stress that online learn-
gyms, clubs, and sports and ing is not an easier path and
arts programs. This allows students should be moti-
* students to stay connected YDWHG 6FKRRO RI¿FLDOV VD\
*
to their community, school their learning management
leaders say. Students can systems safeguard against
customize a blend of online cheating or plagiarism. Sand
and in-person classes. Springs Virtual Academy
“It’s about choice and now requires online students
ZKDW ¿WV WKH NLGV´ VDLG -D\ (Continued to page 8)
Rotert, director of Sand
August 12 2019
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
The Dewey County Record
Continued from page 7
Virtual Programs_____
to use their webcams and certain academic bench-
share their screens during marks, they’re pulled in face
Oct exams to verify that they are to face. They don’t get to
the ones doing the work and stay on their own,” he said.
24 not opening additional tabs. “So it’s hard to say whether
Putnam City Virtual uses they’re doing better because
Odysseyware for its online they’re in the blended model,
2019 curriculum. Cory Boggs, just because we have those
executive director of infor- safeguards.”
mation technology, said that Suggested Approach
Page all online students are paired Considering the policy
A008 with a school counselor to FHQWHU ¿QGLQJV RI¿FLDOV DW
ensure they are meeting all WKH QRQSUR¿W &RRSHUDWLYH
Clip graduation requirements and Council of Oklahoma School
resized f keeping up with their grades. Administrators decided to
44% “The district is in constant tackle the issue of online
contact with these students as instruction in the state. Af-
From well,” Boggs said. “We don’t ter months of research, a
just turn it over to somebody committee of school leaders
A007 else and say, ‘Good luck,’ released a blended learning
but we are actively engaged framework last month.
in their education.” “It’s kind of an open ro-
Troubling National Pic- deo out there. We’re trying
ture to guide it with standards,”
In a 2019 report from the said Derald Glover, who led
National Education Policy the committee and is assis-
Center, researchers found tant executive director of the
a “surprisingly low” num- Oklahoma Association of
ber of virtual and blended School Administrators.
schools with available per- The framework empha-
formance ratings. sizes blended education be-
For the fully virtual acad- cause research has found
emies that did, “far more problems with fully virtual
district-operated schools education, Glover said. The
achieved acceptable school framework isn’t a strict
performance ratings (56.7% model but sets standards and
acceptable) than charter- goals for things like teacher
operated schools (40.8%).” FHUWL¿FDWLRQDQGVWXGHQWSDU-
The same was true for blend- ent involvement. Districts
ed learning, with district-run can adapt the framework to
schools performing better. ¿WWKHLUQHHGV
The report recommends “I think the framework
requirements that would really helps them do it right,
lower student-teacher ra- because it’s really important
tios in virtual and blended if you’re going to have a vir-
schools. For the 2016-17 tual program that you’re not
school year, the averages in leaving kids behind,” said
the study were about 44 to 1 Putnam City’s Boggs, who
for all fully virtual schools, was on the framework com-
34 to 1 for blended virtual mittee. “Getting it right the
schools and 16 to 1 for all ¿UVWWLPHLVDELJGHDO´
schools. The cooperative council
The report also advocates provided a resolution to dis-
for more research on virtual tricts for their local school
and blended programs and boards to approve, which
other classroom innova- essentially endorses the
tions in traditional school blended learning model. As
districts. Overall, the more of right now, the council has
that students in both fully or received 25 resolutions, with
partially virtual programs are more possibly coming in af-
in direct contact with teach- ter monthly board meetings.
ers, especially in -person, the In the meantime, students
better. are mixing and matching.
“Children need to be seen Sand Springs Virtual
and heard,” said Dr. Gary Academy is entering its ninth
Miron, a Western Michigan year, said Rotert, who be-
University professor who came director two years ago.
contributed to the policy )RU WKH ¿UVW VHYHUDO \HDUV
center report. the program served mainly
Some Oklahoma school middle and high schoolers
administrators said students and averaged about 35 stu-
in virtual programs appear dents; most took all their
to be succeeding at the same courses online. Last year,
rate as their brick-and-mor- the program began with 23
tar counterparts. students and ended with 148.
Gart Morris, executive di- Most now opt for blended
rector of instructional tech- schooling.
nology at Tulsa Union, said “They’re doing a few
teachers intervene quickly brick-and-mortar classes, a
when online students fall be- couple virtual classes, play-
hind, which could affect the ing sports,” Rotert said. “We
success rate. ¿QGDZD\WRFUHDWHDVFKHG-
“If they’re not meeting ule that works for them.”
Propertyorig.pdf
of OPS 1
News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
24-Oct-19 17:50:56
The Hobart Democrat Chief
Oct
24
2019
Your Opinion Letters To The Editor
Page
0002 To the Editor: Can public schools afford to
Clip Last week the Legislative run slick ads on TV?
resized
88%
Compensation Board voted to Retired educators were denied
increase our legislators' pay by an increase of 2-4% from their
35%. own funds by these legislators!
Wes Milbourn, chair of the It should be noted that the
board, stated that the 8.8% cut board also approved stipends
in 2017 was due to the fact that for those serving in leadership
Oklahomans were frustrated with positions, Speaker of the House,
the Legislature. By that standard, President pro tem of the Senate,
it appears that we are now "not etc.
frustrated" with the Legislature? House Speaker Charles Mc-
I beg to differ. Call and Senate president pro
How can Oklahomans believe tem Greg Treat will now receive
that a 35% pay raise should be $17,932 each in addition to the
given to legislators when our 35% pay increase.
public educators have to walk They, and the governor, are
out of the classroom to get a pay responsible for appointing the
increase and one that is much less members of the board that just
than 35%? gave them this increase.
These same legislators voted My solution to this problem:
to fund charter schools with our state legislators should receive
tax dollars. a pay raise equal to ALL state
Epic Charter schools is now employees' pay raises. By that
under investigation for misman- standard, teachers and Oklahoma
aging those dollars; and, by the government employees should
way, Epic advertises that they pay now be getting a 35% raise in
their teachers more than public pay, also.
school teachers. Anna Smith Wehrle
The Sentinel Leader
Oct
Letter to the Editor
24
Last week the Legislative with our tax dollars. Epic Char-
2019
Compensation Board voted to ter schools is now under inves- P
Page increase our legislators' pay by tigation for mismanaging those
0002 35%. Wes Milbourn, chair of dollars; and, by the way, Epic
Clip
resized the board, stated that the 8.8% advertises that they pay their
80% cut in 2017, was due to the fact teachers more than public
that Oklahomans were frus- school teachers. (Can public
trated with the Legislature. By schools afford to run slick ads
that standard, it appears that on TV?) Retired educators
we are now "not frustrated" were denied an increase of 2 -
with the Legislature? I beg to 4% from their own funds by
differ. these legislators!
How can Oklahomans be- It should be noted that the
lieve that a 35% pay raise board also approved stipends
should be given to legislators for those serving in leadership
when our public educators positions, Speaker of the
have to walk out of the class- House, President pro tem of
room to get a pay increase, the Senate, etc. House
and one that is much less than Speaker Charles McCall and
35%? These same legislators Senate president pro tem, Greg
voted to fund charter schools Treat, will now receive $17,932
each in addition to the 35% pay
A true fish story increase. They, and the gov-
ernor, are responsible for ap-
It’s pretty hard to reel in a pointing the members of the
big fish if your line is not strong ref
board that just gave them this na
enough and it isn’t easy for a increase. be
youngster even if his line is My solution to this problem: sig
strong. But don’t tell that to state legislators should receive op
eight year old Jayden Millauro, a pay raise equal to ALL state
an Australian boy was out for employees' pay raises. By that
a day of fishing off the coast
of New South Wales with his
dad recently, suggests the As-
standard, teachers and Okla-
homa government employees
should now be getting a 35%
'
sociation of Mature American raise in pay, also.
Citizens [AMAC]. Turns out Anna Smith Wehrle
that dad and a few other fish-
ermen on the scene had to hold
Thank You
Kiowa County Democrat
N
ce
Oct
24 Letters to the Editor
2019
Page
To the Editor: board also approved stipends
0002 Last week the Legislative for those serving in leadership
Clip
resized
Compensation Board voted positions, Speaker of the House,
77% to increase our legislators' pay President pro tem of the Senate,
by 35%. Wes Milbourn, chair etc. House Speaker Charles
of the board, stated that the McCall and Senate president
8.8% cut in 2017, was due to pro tem, Greg Treat, will now
the fact that Oklahomans were receive $17,932 each in addition
frustrated with the Legislature. to the 35% pay increase. They,
By that standard, it appears that and the governor, are responsible
we are now "not frustrated" with for appointing the members of
the Legislature? I beg to differ. the board that just gave them stu
How can Oklahomans this increase. ca
believe that a 35% pay raise My solution to this prob- Th
should be given to legislators lem: state legislators should hi
when our public educators have receive a pay raise equal to ALL
fic
to walk out of the classroom to state employees' pay raises. By
on
get a pay increase, and one that that standard, teachers and af
is much less than 35%? These Oklahoma government em- wh
same legislators voted to fund ployees should now be getting
charter schools with our tax a 35% raise in pay, also. Ac
dollars. Epic Charter schools Anna Smith Wehrle Th
is now under investigation for th
mismanaging those dollars; and, Letter to the Editor: m
by the way, Epic advertises that As we know, November 3, de
they pay their teachers more everyone turns their clocks back re
than public school teachers. one hour. This all started in th
(Can public schools afford to WWII to provide another hour
run slick ads on TV?) Retired of work time for the war effort. so
G
educators were denied an in- We don't need it any more.
ou
crease of 2 - 4% from their own Write your congressmen to say,
co
funds by these legislators! "Stop it!" we
It should be noted that the Vic Schoonover
d

More Schools Offering Full-Time Virtual Programs: Clip Resized 41%

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More schools offering full-

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