In South Carolina, virtual charter schools are “public charter schools that have been sponsored or authorized by a school district within South Carolina…five virtual charter schools will operate in South Carolina – Provost Academy, Palmetto State E-cademy, SC Calvert Academy, SC Connections Academy and the SC Virtual Charter School.”
According to Dr. Cherry Daniel, head of the South Carolina Virtual Charter School, “South Carolina students in grades K-12 are being provided unprecedented opportunity to enroll in full time public virtual school that offers online learning throughout our Palmetto state.” She does not see it as ever totally replacing brick and mortar schools, but rather as “an option for kids who can’t participate in traditional schooling.”
So who attends these virtual schools? According to Mary Carmichael, executive director of the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, who works with all five of the virtual public charter schools providing technical assistance and guidance on best practices, “students enrolled in virtual public charter schools are as diverse as the state itself. They come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and educational experiences.” The reason to attend a virtual school can vary because the student is excelling or struggling or has other interests encroaching on their time.
“We have students who excel at tennis or other sports and need time to practice; we have pianists, singers, painters who need the traditional school time to practice their arts. We also have students whose skill sets are variable: they may be at 10th grade math and 7th grade English and we can accommodate this diversity. We also have teen parents” says Dr. Daniel.
Fifth grade student Seph Koutsioukis attends because of his autism. Virtual schools can be the solution for students with special needs. Seph has access to an “individualized education program” that is tailored to his needs, when he needs it, and can also gain strength from his successes.
Dr. Patricia Hoge, Connections Academy’s senior VP for Curriculum and Instruction says “virtual schools are increasingly the go-to option for students who are not thriving in a traditional classroom setting.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VIRTUAL LEARNING
Misconception: Virtual public school is home school.
Reality: Virtual public schools do provide a public education in the student’s home, but there are testing standards for virtual schooling that are not required for home schools. Virtual public schools are free while home school curriculums must be purchased.
Misconception: All virtual schools are the same.
Reality: Virtual schools are as different and brick and mortar schools are from each other. To find the best virtual experience for your child, look for a high level of parent and student satisfaction in the program, certified teachers, state of the art technology, and a selection of community activities. Parents need to feel comfortable that this is the best fit for their child.
Misconception: Virtual charter schools cannot grant diplomas.
Reality: Not all virtual charter schools are K-12, but those that are can award a state high school diploma.
Misconception: Colleges and university admissions departments look down on virtual charter schools.
Reality: States that have virtual charter schools have not noticed any problem with admissions. Your student will graduate with a diploma and all the tests associated with traditional schooling. Many higher level educational institutions look for students who are familiar with and can succeed in a virtual environment, as they are going that way themselves.
Technology is changing the way schooling is delivered to students but this correlates to the rate that the world is changing. Virtual charter public schools are just another way help a non-traditional student to succeed.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Kelly Koutsioukis from Simpsonville cannot say enough great things about the virtual classroom in which her 10-year-old son Seph is enrolled in at South Carolina Connections Academy. She pulled him out of a regular classroom after second grade and home schooled him, but she knew it was a stop gap measure. Finding Connections for the 3rd grade was the answer to a prayer for her. He has done so well that he is now in their “regular” 5th grade program that he loves. On a scale of one through ten, he gives it “a 110.”
A typical day consists of 5-10 minutes of chatting online with fellow students to catch up and then he settles in for at least seven hours of online work. At the end of the day, there is another chat time of at least five minutes to say goodbye. He goes in periodically for state testing that mirrors the traditional student’s assessments on a nationwide – not state – basis, so it is more stringent than necessary.
If someone misbehaves, he or she can get “bumped” off line out of the classroom and the parent is sent an email about what transpired. But that never happens to Seph because he loves it too much! In addition, there are field trips where the kids can meet and go to parks, museums and other fun and educational spots. When asked “what is your favorite thing,” Seph comes up with an unusual answer: “my autism.” He recognizes that he is different but also has enough self confidence now to know that he can enjoy and succeed in schooling and life.