By Laura Weber
More internet-based K-through-12 schools may soon be available to Michigan students. The state Senate approved a measure that would allow more cyber-schools than the two web-based charter schools already in the state.
Cyber-school supporters said there are thousands of kids on waiting lists to get into the state's two internet-based charter schools. They said parents and students, especially those in failing school districts, deserve more and better choices.
Democratic state Senator Rebekah Warren said the state should know more about how well the current cyber schools are doing before opening up the state to more.
"Michigan, to this point, really has no good data on how those two cyber-charters are doing on the educational achievement of the students that are in those programs, and on the actual cost of providing that education."
Warren's proposal to ensure the student-to-teacher ratio in cyber-schools is similar to that of traditional public school classrooms was rejected by the state Senate. The cyber-schools bill now moves to the state House.
© Copyright 2010, MPRN
More internet-based K-through-12 schools may soon be available to Michigan students. The state Senate approved a measure that would allow more cyber-schools than the two web-based charter schools already in the state.
Cyber-school supporters said there are thousands of kids on waiting lists to get into the state's two internet-based charter schools. They said parents and students, especially those in failing school districts, deserve more and better choices.
Democratic state Senator Rebekah Warren said the state should know more about how well the current cyber schools are doing before opening up the state to more.
"Michigan, to this point, really has no good data on how those two cyber-charters are doing on the educational achievement of the students that are in those programs, and on the actual cost of providing that education."
Warren's proposal to ensure the student-to-teacher ratio in cyber-schools is similar to that of traditional public school classrooms was rejected by the state Senate. The cyber-schools bill now moves to the state House.
© Copyright 2010, MPRN