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Madison, WI - School districts across the state are struggling to avoid deep budget cuts and program reductions. Some districts are taking advantage of Wisconsin's open enrollment policy to dig out of budget trouble and there is a move to increase enrollments and state aid through online schools, reported News 3's Toni Morrissey.According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, $10.3 million in state aid has gone to virtual schools since the 2002- 2003 school year, potentially making them a source for unlimited enrollments and state aid payments.
Tristan Putman, 15, who is training to be a professional Irish dancer, has to dance around a very demanding schedule of practice and dance classes, so his academics have to click with the rest of his lifestyle.
"I've been home schooled my whole life," he said.
Tristan still learns at home, but the freshman has begun his high school career online.
He's one of 203 students enrolled in IQ Academies -- one of the few full-time, virtual high schools that are part of a state funded public school district.
"Schools like ours are doubling or tripling their enrollment every year," said Heidi Laabs, curriculum director for IQ Academies of Waukesha.
The Waukesha School District started the online school after losing 30 students and corresponding state aid payments to other cyber schools, and now the virtual way of learning has started building enrollment for the district. The kids are taught by 31 Waukesha School District teachers -- seven full time equivalents, who hold classes online.
Tom Young is the only full-time teacher. He virtually teaches every IQ Academies student chemistry, earth science or physics.
All of the students are scattered across the state, along with certified Wisconsin teachers like Young. Students also get laptops, software, textbooks and a monthly stipend to learn online.
"We're probably running around $4,500 to $5,000 per student for cost, and the state aid we receive is a little more than that - it's around $5,600," Laabs said.
With only laptops and the Internet as their classroom, it's much more cost effective than face-to-face learning, which costs $8,900 per student. With a goal of increasing online enrollment to 750 next fall, the district could end up waltzing through a budget crunch.
Students like Tristan are virtually stepping into their future.
"I am choosing the way I am learning right now," Tristan said. "And I love it."
The deadline for open enrollment is Friday. As of Monday, IQ Academies has received 400 applications --double its current enrollment. Because of the current state aid formula, the Waukesha School District won't see an increase in aid for 3 years. The aid comes from the school districts of students defecting to the virtual classroom, setting up an interesting competition for state aid.
If you live in Wisconsin and are interested in applying for open enrollment, find information and request forms at http://www.dpi.state.wi.us.
Source: Channel 3000 News, Madison, Wisc. |
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