A student in Ohio attending a K12 class online. Image courtesy K12 Inc
Teachers filled the front row of a state legislative committee room to support their embattled virtual school. Ultimately, the panel advanced legislation that would cap enrollment if a trend of poor grades persists.
Teachers with Tennessee Virtual Academy say many of their 3,200 students come from homeschool backgrounds and are new to standardized tests.
Summer Shelton teaches sixth graders.
“I know you’re looking at test scores. We need time for improvement, and you’re exactly right, we do want to have the best for our children. But we want to have options.”
The proposal from Governor Bill Haslam was softened from its original form and would only limit the number of students if test scores remain low.
Democrats accuse the for-profit company behind the virtual school of ripping off the state. The panel rejected Rep. Mike Stewart’s proposal to shut down the cyber school altogether.
“There’s no reason for us to think that somehow in Tennessee – miraculously – that company is going to suddenly start caring about teaching children and stop caring about its number one goal, which is making money.”
Debate was cut off as soon as Stewart brought up an email uncovered by WTVF that told middle school teachers to delete bad grades.
The legislature passed a law in 2011 allowing the for-profit company K12 Inc. to operate a school in Tennessee.
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