Guest Commentary: Florida Expands Virtual Education, But Obstacles Remain

Florida expanded its virtual learning horizon, even as it once again reminded us that age-old education boundaries won’t easily cede to global technology.
That's how Jon East, the director of policy and public affairs for Step Up For Students, a nonprofit scholarship organization that oversees the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship for low-income children sees it in an article he wrote for redefinED.
East says the "Digital Learning Now Act" waiting for Gov. Rick Scott's signature "was a clear victory for online education, adding more public and private options."
"Florida Virtual School, the nation’s largest and most successful public virtual school, will be allowed to provide full-time programs for all grade levels and part-time not only for high and middle school students but also for accelerated fourth- and fifth-graders. High school students will be required to take an online course for graduation. All providers will be held to similar academic accountability standards and will receive similar reimbursement," he writes.
However, East continues, "the bill did contain reminders of the obstacles that remain. Legislative staff attorneys and education analysts refused to accept a broader strategy offered jointly by Florida Virtual and its private competitors that would have allowed both to operate statewide, giving simpler options to all students. They deemed, with some justification, that such an approach would be challenged and found unconstitutional. That’s because Florida’s constitution, like that of many states, apportions oversight of education based on the physical location of students and schools. That means school boards are in charge, even when they need not be"
Click here to read East's complete post.