“There’s research that shows that students that attend virtual schools can acquire the same information and do as well or better than other kids,” said DCSS Publicist R.D. Harter.

Harter says it’s an alternative that may keep students from dropping out or simply leaving public schools.

“On the state level more and more virtual school opportunities are available and when that happens the local district loses state funding for that student,” said Harter.

For the rest of the article, go to DCSS entertains idea of virtual classrooms

In 2007, local school boards denied every single start-up charter school application. In 2008, 25 of 27 were denied. Since 2008 only four have been approved. Less than two percent of Georgia students have access to a charter school even 10 years after the first state-approved charter and, separately, the first locally-approved charter opened. Of 16 state-authorized schools (either approved by the state board or former charter commission), six are physically located in rural areas outside the metro Atlanta area. Additionally, the two virtual schools and the Department of Juvenile Justice school have statewide draws. State charter schools have a more diverse student population and more qualify for free or reduced lunch than the state average.

Charter schools often do not fit within attendance lines attracting students across multiple school districts. A Georgia research university has expressed interest in partnering its school of education with a charter school and would serve students from a broad geographical region. This would not be possible without state authorization.

For the rest of the article, go to Charter Resolution Clears Committee