A cyber school that operates statewide is looking for a savior in the Tennessee legislature, and they might find one. Several lawmakers are voicing support for the Tennessee Virtual Academy, despite an order to shut down because of poor performance on standardized tests.
“We are going to do everything we can to keep the Tennessee Virtual Academy going, and I am going to work in the Legislature to keep it open next year,” Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) told parents, according to a news release.
Dozens of parents are mingling with legislators this week, asking for a reprieve. They say the cyber school – which is run by for-profit company K12 Inc – is being held to a higher standard than other schools. That is true, but only because the schools scored a level one on a five point scale for three consecutive years.
A special website called SaveTNVA.org shows charts of how scores are improving. The head of the 1,300-student school has written
newspaper editorials. Parents appear in
web videos.
“Those who oppose online learning want to deny public school options and want everyone their same traditional school, even if that same choice fails them,” Tracey Patrick of Ashland City says in one clip.
Several lawmakers, including the heads of the education committees, have indicated they want to help Tennessee Virtual Academy stay afloat.
However the new Commissioner of Education – Candice McQueen – has said she intends to follow through with closing down the cyber school unless it can score a three on the five-point scale, which it has never done. The process was laid out by McQueen’s predecessor in a
letter dated July 30, 2014.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM