In choice-happy Indiana, where all choices are presumed to be good choices, Governor Eric Holcomb called for the state to do something about the woeful performance of the Indiana Virtual School. Be it noted that virtual schools have low performance everywhere, rake in millions of dollars, and buy political support. Will Indiana be any different from other states that have ignored the scandal of virtual charter performance?
In October, Chalkbeat reported that Indiana Virtual School, one of the state’s largest online charter schools, had received more than $20 million from the state while graduating about 61 students. And between at least 2011 and 2015, a for-profit company headed by Indiana Virtual’s founder, Thomas Stoughton, charged the school millions of dollars in management services and rent.
Wow! More than $20 million to graduate 61 students. A good haul for the school, not the taxpayers.
Indiana Virtual and its sister school that opened this year, Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy, together enroll 6,332 students. Across the state, more than 12,000 students are enrolled in online charters, most of which earned F grades this year. Two other major online charters, Hoosier Academies and Indiana Connections Academy, also opened new schools in the past year or so.
What will the state do? Certainly the state won’t close down this fraud.
At this point, Holcomb said he doesn’t see a need just yet for legislation addressing online schools, although he wouldn’t rule it out. He said his team has communicated with the state board that this area needs “immediate attention and action.” It’s not yet clear what measures they want to introduce, or how much authority the state board has to change charter school rules, but he indicated authorizing could be on the list.
David Harris, of the faux-liberal Mind Trust in Indianapolis, took time from privatizing public schools in Indianapolis, to suggest the need to change authorizers.
Ah, yes, change authorizers. That won’t help.
These scams should be closed. For-profit schools should be banned.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I just sent this to my Indiana state senator (R) and representative (R) in NW Indiana:
Dear Senator Niemeyer and Representative Slager,
Please tell me why my tax dollars are being wasted in garbage like this charter virtual school? I have regularly complained about the funding that needs to go to public schools and regularly get replies that say you are doing a great job. I have complained about the amount of voucher money going to religious schools and charter schools that have statistically proven to not be better, and most times worse, than public schools.
This waste of over $20 million proves that you are NOT doing a great job of spending Hoosier taxpayer money. Please rectify this injustice.
“In October, Chalkbeat reported that Indiana Virtual School, one of the state’s largest online charter schools, had received more than $20 million from the state while graduating about 61 students. And between at least 2011 and 2015, a for-profit company headed by Indiana Virtual’s founder, Thomas Stoughton, charged the school millions of dollars in management services and rent.”
Sincerely,
LikeLike
Thank you, carolmalaysia.
LikeLike