I used the curriculum from the Wisconsin Virtual School a couple summers ago to help my child catch up with her schooling. I found it to be easy for me to do and fun for my child. I liked the combination of book and computer work. It was also a great bonding time for her and I. I think it would be terrible for this option to be taken away or over regulated.

Interesting.... I see there are many votes against V schools, but no comments why. Could some naysayers please share?

It's a great option for those who live in an area with crappy schools but do not have the ability or motivation to create their own curriculum.
It warrants saying that homeschool groups are against virtual school, as they feel having this option may lead to more regulations on homeschooling.
So let's be clear: Homeschooling in WI= teaching what YOU want, no tests or qualifications.
Virtual schools=Public schools that are open to enrollment and subject to laws.
So without virtual schooling, it's all or nothing. It's great to have the option V.Schools provide.

Traditional schools do not work for every child, nor does home-school, which is not the same thing as virtual schooling. I had 2 high school drop-outs for various reasons.

As for paying taxes, you have to anyway whether you have children or not. That is a completely separate issue from whether virtual public schools should be allowed to exist. Even home-school families pay taxes to provide public educations for services that they do not use. This is about freedom of choices that keep up with technology, and money should not even be considered an issue.

Virtual school students have the same accountability to take state testing, and keep attendance as in brick and mortar schools.

And don't tell me kids need "socialization" either. My child is busier than I am with social activities.

SarahB, childless couples paid for your education. Why should only the parents pay? The taxes are the same if the kids are in a virtual school or in a brick and mortar school. This is not about money. It's about education.

I have a niece and a nephew who were in a small district that is having financial problems due to the spending caps. They are getting the classes they need and have more variety to choose from than what they could get. When they moved up north their classes just went with them. It is not for everyone but it has been perfect for them. I think the virtual schools are filling a need and are more regulated than just saying you are home schooled.

If these schools are eliminated, more than 3000 students in this state will be without a choice in their education!

Please find out more about these great schools before you make any decision about what should happen to them!!!!!

I agree with you, truth1, but I would also like to see funding switched to where parents share more of the tax. I have no children. I know that parents pay very hefty school fees as it is, but the childless taxpayer also takes a hit of their own.

I believe parents should have the right to choose where to send their kids to school and to which school to send their tax dollars.

I am pro-choice on this matter.