A reader in New Mexico shares this information.
If the state commission does a study of effectiveness, the virtual charter schools will never win approval.
Here is the comment:
I thought this might be of interest to you. I live in New Mexico and recently our Public Education Commission denied the charter application for a new charter that will contract with Connections Academy.
Our Secretary of Education Designate Hanna Skandera (she has held the position for nearly 3 years, but has not gained senate approval because she doesn’t actually meet the criteria set forth by the constitution) overruled that. It looks very much like she did that because of her connections with Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education which receives donations from Connections Academy.
Today, I learned that the Commission will appeal her approval and would like to stop any new virtual charters from opening until a study can be made on their effectiveness. State lawmakers are also looking into the legality of using state public education funds to pay for virtual charter schools run by out-of-state private companies.
More information can be found here http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/02/01/news/skandera-oks-virtual-school.html
and here:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/02272013PEC#.US5gzjBNKSp
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Skandera is one of the public officials exposed for peddling her influence to corporate education firms, as a member of Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence.
Justin Horwath at the Santa Fe Reporter dug through email exchanges obtained by the nonprofit In the Public Interest under a freedom of information request. They examine Skandera’s interactions with Connections Academy, and other private interests that hold or seek contracts worth tens of millions with the state, and also contribute heavily to junkets and political campaigns through Bush’s organization.
horwath has written a very extensive, careful and explosive expose. Read it here:
http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-7261-business-school.html
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Thank you for that link! I am the reader who left that comment. I heard tonight that Skandera’s confirmation hearing started today, it will be interesting to see how that all pans out.
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In this brave new world we live in, effectiveness is measured by profit, they are one and the same.
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