Continued popularity of Wisconsin’s virtual schools are pushing them near capacity, which may force the Legislature to revisit an enrollment cap put in place two years ago, an audit released Tuesday shows.

The state’s 15 virtual schools offer classes from kindergarten through high school over the Internet, allowing students to attend from home. They have been growing in popularity in Wisconsin and nationwide as an alternative for students who may not otherwise perform as well in a traditional school.

But the future of Wisconsin’s virtual schools was put in jeopardy when a state appeals court ruled in 2007 that the largest one, Wisconsin Virtual School, was operating in violation of open enrollment, charter school and teacher licensing laws.

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From EdWeek.org

It’s hard to believe the school year is halfway finished. My fifth-grade daughter has accomplished so much already and looks forward to what lies ahead.

I take great pride in being involved in my child’s education. I proofread my daughter’s book reports, help her study for tests and read aloud with her from books. But, I do it in the middle of the day. My daughter is a student with the Wisconsin Connections Academy (WCA) — a statewide, virtual public school.

She has textbooks and state-certified teachers just like every other fifth-grader in Wisconsin. The only difference is the building where she learns. Instead of a brick-and-mortar school, my daughter attends public school in the comfort of her own home. I can be directly involved in her lessons, and she can learn at her own pace. Her teachers are extremely devoted to her learning, and they communicate daily by phone or e-mail.

Our computer acts as a link between the school and my daughter, but she doesn’t spend every waking minute online.

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From WisconsinRapidsTribune.com