Profiting off our children

April 9, 2012

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports, "Six more virtual school providers have been approved by the Virginia Department of Education to contract with public school divisions. They join the 13 multi-division online providers approved in June."

Progressive Point: Ensuring our kids receive a quality education is an investment in Virginia's economic future. But now Bob McDonnell wants to hand that responsibility off to companies looking to make a buck off our children. New legislation requires Virginia high school students to complete at least one virtual course in order to graduate, despite evidence that students in virtual classrooms don't perform as well as students in public schools. Companies behind the push to profit off of kids, like K12 Inc., contribute thousands to Bob McDonnell and rely on corporate front groups like ALEC to push legislation written on their behalf.

Helping our children succeed in a 21st century economy should be the driving force behind public education decisions, not helping a few campaign donors make a buck. Our children deserve access to a quality education that puts their needs first.

Get the Facts:

• In 2010, the 5,000 students at the Colorado Virtual Academy had an on-time graduation rate off just 12% - compared to the 72% rate of all students statewide. Also in 2010, K12's Ohio Virtual Academy 9,000 students "had a 30 percent on-time graduation rate, compared with a state average of 78 percent. Last year, about one-third of K12-managed schools met the achievement goals required under the federal No Child Left Behind law, according to Gary Miron, a Western Michigan University professor who called that performance 'poor.'" (Washington Post, November 26, 2011)


• Virtual schools have higher student to teacher ratios than in-person classrooms at roughly 60 students for every online teacher. (Washington Post, November 26, 2011)


• In 2010, legislation to establish virtual school programs was introduced on behalf of Gov. McDonnell in both the House and Senate and subsequently became law. The legislation, a version of which as been pushed by ALEC's education committee, encourages school divisions to contract with private virtual school companies for student instruction. (ProgressVA)


• Bob McDonnell has received $55,000 from K12 Inc. and its executives since 2009. (Washington PostNovember 26, 2011)


• McDonnell signed into law a bill to "require Virginia high school students to take at least one virtual course to graduate with a standard or advanced diploma." (Washington Post, April 6, 2012)

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