One of the packages expands the eligibility of dual enrollment. That’s when high school students are able to take college courses for credits in both high school and college.

The other package increases the number of students that can enroll in the state’s cyber school for K-12 students. The cyber schools have been a much talked-about issue.

For the rest of the article, go to Debate Over Cyber Schools Heats Up

Snyder also plans to sign a package of bills expanding programs that allow students to gain college credit while attending high school.

Critics of the cyber charters, which offer programs over the Internet and through occasional gatherings, argued that the programs are aimed at generating profits for companies running the schools, and that there is not enough data to prove whether the schools are successful.

For the rest of the Article, go to Gov. Rick Snyder plans to sign bills expanding dual enrollment, ‘cyber’ charter schools

For students such as Gilson, online learning has been a valuable resource.

“It shows me what my strengths are and what’s to come in college: I need to form better study habits, but also that I am able to work on my own. It is a good eye-opener for the future,” said Gilson, 17.

Not all Michigan schools participate in the virtual university, and some parents and teachers are skeptical.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual school provides new learning experience

For the rest of the article, go to LES ROSAN: Is virtual education a race to the bottom?

The Legislature knew it had to make some tough but necessary decisions to help strengthen our economy, improve our budget picture and get the state out of its recession.

The simple truth was that we had to act.

Continued delays could have put our children and grandchildren on the hook for immense debt, jeopardizing their future and forcing them to leave our state in greater numbers. Now, 12 months later, jobs are being created by the thousands, our unemployment rate has fallen to a level not seen in almost four years, and we find ourselves with a modest budget surplus.

The Legislature took action because we wanted our kids and grandkids to be able to stay in Michigan to work, not be forced to move out of the state to find a better quality of life.

We believed, and still believe, that a better quality of life should be found in Michigan. And when it comes to education, our priority continues to be the students and parents above all else. Just last week, the Legislature improved educational choice for students by raising the current cap on cyber schools. I voted in favor of the measure because it empowers parents to choose the best education for their children, without negatively affecting our traditional public schools.

Several amendments were added to the measure to increase oversight and protect public schools. Under these new amendments, cyber school enrollment would be capped, enrollment could not exceed 1 percent of the overall public school system student count, and the cyber schools would have to report annually to the state.

For the rest of the article, go to Cyber Schools Give Michigan Families Quality Education Options

But state Rep. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, said he has no intention of changing his vote, saying late compromises will help traditional school districts with their own online programs.

House leaders said Democrats have asked for a reconsideration of the 56-54 vote, but even allowing the move would require a floor vote in the Republican-dominated chamber.

For the rest of the article, go to Union-linked group calls for reconsideration of ‘cyber’ charter vote, targets GOP representative

Members on Thursday approved, 56-54, a bill that would allow more online charter schools in Michigan.

The bill now goes back to the Senate where it originated because of changes made in the House version. It raises the cap on the number of cyber charter schools allowed in the state, which is now set at two.

For the rest of the article, go to How They Voted

The bill passed 56-54 on Thursday and goes back to the Senate where it originated because of changes made in the House version. It raises the cap on the number of cyber charter schools allowed in the state, which is now set at two.

For the rest of the article, go to Mich. House of Representatives narrowly approves bill allowing more online charter schools

It’s a little different at the Virtual Learning Academy of St. Clair County. The students set the day that works best for them. In fact, quite a bit of what the academy does is determined by what works best for students.

For JoAnna Ingles, Graduation Day this year was Feb. 13. The single mother of twin boys had promised herself she would get her diploma before her boys turned 1. She missed it by a week, but since the twins spent their first week in the hospital, she figures she met her goal.

JoAnna is the 100th graduate of the Virtual Learning Academy since it started at a charter school in 2009. As with each of her 99 predecessors, it’s unlikely she would have her diploma if her only option was traditional school.

Make no mistake: Michigan’s public K-12 school districts provide top-quality educations to thousands upon thousands of young people each year. But they are not the right fit for everyone. The requirement that students “fit in” to the school is a big part of the problem.

The Virtual Learning Academy is chartered by the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency. It serves a select group: students who have either dropped out or been expelled from school. We adjust to our students’ needs as much as possible. Our job is not just to help them learn, but to help them succeed.

For the rest of the article ,go to Denice Lapish: Tradition is out in Virtual Learning Academy 

Two cyber charter schools operate as full-time, K-12 virtual public schools. With one based out of Grand Rapids and one based out of Okemos, the schools enroll students across the state. The programs teach curriculum mandated by the state, and follow all the laws and guidelines like any regular public school. The difference — their students take all their classes online.

About 20 teachers based in Okemos for the Michigan Connections Academy engage with students in virtual classrooms. Administrators say the program gives students and parents the flexibility to create a unique learning experience, and to set up a schedule that best fits their needs. They say the virtual model does take time and commitment from parents.

For the rest of the article, go to More Michigan Students Enrolling In Virtual Schools