February 9, 2010
For Immediate Release February 9, 2010
For further information, contact: Julie Thompson, 608-798-3395
Audit Shows No Justification for Capping Enrollment and Locking out Children from Wisconsin’s ‘Virtual Schools’
[Madison, Wisconsin] The much-anticipated audit of the state's 'Virtual' schools shows no justification for continuing to cap enrollment in these excellent public online charter schools. "The audit shows tremendous satisfaction on the part of all involved,” said Julie Thompson, Vice President of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families, whose daughter attends a virtual school operated by the McFarland School District. "Every school would love to be loved as much as these virtual schools. This audit proves there is absolutely no justification for an arbitrary enrollment cap that locks out children from attending these excellent schools."
According to the findings of the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau:
- More than 90 percent of the parents and guardians, teachers, and high school pupils surveyed were satisfied with their virtual charter school
- Full-time enrollment in virtual charter schools increased from 265 pupils in the 2002-03 school year to 2,951 pupils in the 2007-08 school year. In the five largest schools, which enrolled 92.2 percent of all pupils in 2007-08, total enrollment ranged from 245 to 865 pupils
- All 161 virtual charter school teachers were licensed in Wisconsin and taught subjects and grade levels that were appropriately authorized by their professional Wisconsin teaching licenses
"Where the state found areas that need improvement, the individual schools were way ahead of them in identifying, addressing and meeting those needs." said Thompson. "The curricula in these schools are rigorous, the teaching excellent and the collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators could serve as a model for the entire state. The audit proves an enrollment cap is not necessary."
Thompson said that the 5,250 enrollment ceiling serves as a deterrent to those looking at educational options for their children.
"Parents who are looking into this public school option for the first time need to know that the State supports this successful educational model," said Thompson. "The Cap looms large and discourages many from pursuing this option during the narrow open enrollment window we are under."
The open enrollment period for the next school year in Wisconsin runs through 4pm on February 19, 2010.
The audit, released this morning despite being statutorily required to be completed by the LAB by December 31, 2009, was the result of a legislative compromise in 2008 which, while keeping virtual schools operating in Wisconsin, capped their enrollment and directed the LAB to perform this review. Opponents and skeptics of this proven educational option, which is growing in popularity each year, wanted more data on which to base decisions regarding the schools’ future.
"The data is here and the conclusion is clear: Lift the Enrollment Cap on Virtual Schools!" said Thompson.
The Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families is the organization that informs and advocates for the students, parents, teachers and administrators of Wisconsin’s public online charter schools.
For more information, see: www.WiVirtualSchoolFamilies.org
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