Online Charter School Approved for 2008

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(KCPW News) When public school doesn't work for a child and private school is too expensive, many Utah parents turn to homeschooling. But that, too, has drawbacks, as Lori Harmon discovered:

"It's difficult to do homeschool - for me I needed structure and I had to figure out what kind of curriculums I wanted to use," says Harmon. "It's a huge, daunting task."

Harmon opted instead for a state-funded program through her school district that lets her kids study online. But that program - administered by the national company K12 Inc. - is only available in Utah through 8th grade. That will soon leave Harmon's 7th grade son in limbo. So she and several other parents convinced the Utah State Board of Education to let them open the state's first virtual K-through-12 charter school.

State funding will allow them to extend the curriculum offered by K12 Inc. to their children through high school. Students who enroll get computers and lots of extras, says Harmon:

"I get like 65 pounds of materials for each child every year. Tons of books," says Harmon. "My son got tons of science equipment and my first grader got a balance for her science work. They just love it!"

Utah already has a virtual high school, which led some members of the State Board of Education to question the need for a virtual charter school. But Harmon says the Utah Virtual Academy will have a more comprehensive offering for students.

The online charter school was approved for 500 students who can begin enrolling in August of next year. As a charter school, it will be subject to annual state audits and additional oversight.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW