For-Profit Virtual Schools: Why Doesn’t Anyone Notice Their Terrible Student Achievement?

Another item featuring the recent NEPC report on virtual schools that I am a co-author on.

Inside Look Great Lakes Center’s exclusive subscriber email featuring key points, information and social media content about reviews and research May 13, 2021READ IN BROWSER Hello, Great Lakes Center subscriber: If your child’s brick and mortar public school had a drop-out rate of over 45% and some of the lowest student test scores among other area schools, you would be genuinely concerned, to say the least. If the school board spent a large portion your tax dollars on marketing rather than educating, you would be extremely angry. If your school had twice as many students per teacher than surrounding districts, you would be furious. And, if your school superintendent made over $12 million a year, you would be livid. This is exactly what’s happening with virtual schools. The problem is most parents and legislators don’t know it. Read on to learn more. Dr. Gretchen Dziadosz Executive Director Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice SUMMARY For years now, in every reputable study, researchers have documented the terrible student achievement rates of virtual schools run by for-profit companies. This week, the 2021 Virtual Schools report that we commissioned was released. The appalling test scores and graduation rates associated with for-profit virtual schools are not due to high-poverty students enrolling in these schools. It’s quite the opposite. The report shows these schools are far less likely to enroll special education students, as well as minority students, low-income students and English Language Learners. Many state education leaders know virtual schools lack acceptable student achievement results. Pennsylvania reported all its virtual schools are providing unacceptable results. Louisiana rated nine of its 12 virtual schools as unacceptable, with and two not rated at all for unexplained reasons. Ohio rated 15 of its 17 virtual schools as unacceptable. Michigan, with 80 virtual or blended schools, rated 71 as unacceptable. Florida rated 19 of its 29 rated virtual schools as unacceptable. The list goes on. These are truths about virtual learning, each supported by research outlined in our report: The pandemic increased demand for virtual learning options. Few students do well in a full-time online environment. Virtual schools created and run by school districts have the best student achievement, while virtual schools run by for-profits tend to have the worst achievement. While virtual learning proponents claim it is better tailored to individual student needs, the research evidence says otherwise. Perhaps most alarming: These platforms pose a significant threat to the integrity of school curricula and instructional programs. HELPFUL RESOURCES The Washington Post published an article on our Virtual Schools Report. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools decried the poor achievement of virtual schools and called for reforms. Education Week detailed how the trend of virtual schools continues to grow, though academic struggles of these schools persist. WHY YOU SHOULD CARE The promises made by for-profit companies running virtual schools are large and enticing. But the significantly low student achievement should be a huge red flag to parents, school districts and policymakers. These schools are failing students, and policymakers have yet to address this huge area of pressing concern, among many others. SOCIAL SHARES Want to share this Think Twice Review with your social networks? We drafted some sample social media posts for your use. For years, researchers have documented terrible student achievement rates of #virtualschools. @greatlakescent’s new Virtual Schools Report has the details. COVID-19 has increased the demand for #virtualschool options. Parents, schools and policymakers should know the truth about their abysmal student achievement. Policymakers have yet to address many issues with #virtualschools, including their incredibly poor student achievement. Follow Us

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