Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues. A Study of Virtual Schools in the United States.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was commissioned by the Distance Learning Resource Network (DLRN) at WestEd, a research, development and educational services organization. The author would like to thank Peg Kinder, Director of DLRN, for sponsoring the study, and Deb Little, Paul Little and Karen Schellenberger for their assistance in the process of conducting an online survey of a national peer group of virtual schools, and developing a continually growing online listing of virtual schools. The Center for the Application of Information Technologies at Western Illinois University, which sponsored the first version of this study in 2000, continues as a co-sponsor of the new study. Thanks to Phyllis Lentz of the Florida Virtual School for her advice on online survey items, and to Kelly Hall of Illinois State University for help in presenting the survey data. The support of CAIT Executive Director Michael Dickson and the assistance provided by Kathy Lawhon of CAIT in the initial study are also greatly appreciated. This report provides a summary and analysis of virtual school activities and trends across the United States. The virtual school movement can be considered the "next wave" in technology based K-12 education, joining proven distance learning delivery methods. Virtual schools are defined for the purposes of this study as educational organizations that offer K-12 courses through Internet-or Web-based methods. The results of a March 2000 study, Virtual High Schools: State of the States, informed planning for this revised and updated edition, as did other recent studies of virtual schools. While the March 2000 study focused on state-level, state-sanctioned virtual schools, the present study looks more broadly at the different types of virtual schools. This study provides analysis on trends based in part through an online survey of state approved or regionally accredited schools conducted from July through August 2001. A peer group of 44 virtual schools was surveyed, with email and telephone follow-up conducted to reach a response rate of 75% (N=33). Highlights of this online survey include: Ø The trend from 'virtual high schools' to 'virtual K-12 schools' continues Ø $300/semester was the most reported tuition, but prices varied greatly Ø Calculus AB was the online AP course offered by the most schools Based on extrapolations from this survey, a " ballpark estimate " was reached that 40,000 to 50,000 K-12 students will enroll in an online course in 2001-2002. At least 14 states have a planned or operational state-sanctioned, …