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| NEWS ROUNDUP ON TUESDAY"S SENATE ACTION |
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February 20, 2008
Wheeler News Service
Doyle wants enrollment limits for online schools
Published Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The future of Wisconsin’s online schools was put back in jeopardy Tuesday, after Gov. Jim Doyle insisted on new enrollment limits.
Doyle also said he wants a study, to find out if students are getting the same quality of education they’d get in an actual classroom.
At first, senators rejected the change by one vote Tuesday. But Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, later changed his vote so the measure would pass.
It now goes to the Assembly, where majority Republicans accuse Doyle of catering to the state’s largest teachers’ union.
That group won a lawsuit last year to cut off state aid to virtual schools and make parents have the same teaching qualifications as they have
After those parents complained, lawmakers in both parties crafted a compromise which basically continues the state aid, while taking lesser steps toward accountability than what the governor wanted.
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Russ Decker, D-Weston, said Doyle’s enrollment limits are still 30 percent higher than the current total of 3,500.
Decker said the governor would have vetoed the bill and killed the virtual schools if it wasn’t for Tuesday’s changes.
http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/articles/index.cfm?id=86115§ion=Wisconsin%20News&property_id=19
Green Bay Press Gazette
Governor leaves fate of state's virtual schools unknown
February 20, 2008
MADISON — A plan to allow students to remain enrolled in online charter schools is in doubt after the governor said he wanted last-minute changes.
The development leaves the future of schools where students learn over the Internet from home in question.
Those schools are facing closure after a state appeals court in December ruled the largest such school was operating in violation of state law.
Lawmakers responded by crafting a bipartisan agreement that would allow the schools to remain open.
Gov. Jim Doyle told lawmakers that he wanted a study of how students are being served in those schools and a cap on enrollment at the existing level in the meantime.
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 17-16 to accept those changes, but they face uncertainty in the Assembly.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080220/GPG0101/80220030/1207/GPGnews
The Dunn County News
Deadline approached for open enrollment
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
For Wisconsin students and families who are contemplating a school change, such as attending another school district or a virtual school, the clock is ticking. The deadline for submitting an open-enrollment application is 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 - sharp! Submitting an open enrollment application does not obligate a child to attend another school, but it does preserve the family's right to choose it for the 2008-2009 academic year. Parents have until June to make a final decision.
Virtual schools have been in the news a lot lately. With so much attention being paid to this public school option, many families are wondering if virtual education is something that would click with their students. There are many reasons students have chosen to enroll in Wisconsin Connections Academy, the virtual school where I have served as both a teacher and administrator since it opened in 2002. Some want a more challenging academic program, others need extra help in certain subjects, and many just want a more flexible learning schedule so that they can pursue sports, theater and other outside activities.
Growing up, I never imagined going to public school from home, because the technology didn't exist. Now there is a choice, and I encourage families to explore a learning alternative that's proven successful, accountable and highly effective. If you think virtual school may be right for your children, be sure to submit an open-enrollment application by Feb. 22.
Michelle Mueller
Administrator for Wisconsin Connections Academy
http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2008/02/20/letters/letters03.txt
Wigderson Library & Pub
Tim Carpenter and Jim Doyle decide that not every kid deserves a great school
February 19, 2008
Feb. 19, 2008 (Wigderson Library and Pub delivered by Newstex) -- While Wisconsin was distracted by the presidential primary on Tuesday, the Democratic-controlled state senate voted 17-16 to cap enrollment in Wisconsin's virtual schools until the effectiveness of virtual schools can be "studied". The vote was originally 17-16 against the cap, but Democratic State Senator Tim Carpenter flipped his vote, and a gallery full of virtual school students and supporters watched as Senate Democrats decided not every child deserves a great school. Children only deserve WEAC-approved schools.
It was only yesterday that Governor Doyle decided the carefully worked-out compromise between Democrats and Republicans wasn't good enough. Answering the WEAC hotline, Doyle announced that he wanted a cap on enrollment.
News, Most Recent 60 Days
Perhaps Republicans should announce caps on enrollment in other forms of public education until some study shows that they work. Unlike virtual schools, there would be plenty of brick-and-mortar schools that would never open their doors again if they were held to any functional standard.
The students, parents and teachers that have chosen public virtual education have found schools that work for them. Will the Democrats get out of the virtual school house door?
WisPolitics
Senate first rejects, then approves amendment to virtual schools bill
2/19/2008
By WisPolitics Staff
An amendment to put a cap on enrollment at virtual schools had a quick reversal of fortune today, first getting rejected by the Senate, then gaining approval when a Democratic senator changed his vote.
The amendment, pushed by Gov. Jim Doyle under a threat of a veto, was first rejected on a 17-16 vote, with Dem Sens. Tim Carpenter of Milwaukee and Jon Erpenbach of Middleton siding with Republican opposition.
In a second vote, however, the amendment was approved by the same margin after Carpenter flipped his vote.
Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, decried the reversal. With a crowd of virtual school parents and students watching in the gallery, she said the maneuver shows "why the word politician doesn't have much honor and much respect."
Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, saw it differently.
"What we just did here is avoid a veto," he said.
Doyle asked legislators to amend the bill to cap enrollment at current levels until a formal study of the schools is completed to ensure they're meeting educational requirements of other public schools.
The legislative compromise, worked out by Sen. John Lehman and Rep. Brett Davis as the chairmen of their respective chambers’ education committees, is an answer to an appeals court decision that threatens to shut virtual schools.
WISC TV
Deal To Keep Wisconsin Virtual Schools Open In Doubt
Families Rally At Capitol
February 19, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- A plan to allow students to remain enrolled in online charter schools is in doubt after the governor said he wanted last-minute changes.
The development leaves the future of schools where students learn over the Internet from home in question.
Those schools are facing closure after a state appeals court in December ruled the largest such school was operating in violation of state law.
Lawmakers responded by crafting a bipartisan agreement that would allow the schools to remain open.
Gov. Jim Doyle told lawmakers that he wanted a study of how students are being served in those schools and a cap on enrollment at the existing level in the meantime.
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 17-16 to accept those changes.
Wisconsin virtual school families rallied at the state Capitol Tuesday to oppose an amendment that could stop new students from enrolling in virtual schools. The group said that special needs students could be affected by the change.
Their parents and teachers said that without an at-home option, Wisconsin schools would need increased aides in the classroom to help children on an individual level.
"My special needs kids have a variety of disabilities. Sometimes their needs are too numerous to be met in the traditional classroom. Virtual schools are a great option for these kids," said Kaye Martin, a Wisconsin virtual schools teacher.
The bill and its amendments face uncertainty in the Assembly.
http://www.channel3000.com/education/15347682/detail.html#
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