Another education-altering bill could go before the house in the next few weeks. Senate Bill 619, which lifts the cap on cyber schools in the state and changes requirements of the schools, is expected to head out of the House education committee in the next few weeks, Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township said. The bill sponsored by Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, passed the Senate on Oct. 27.
Those who back the bill believe it offers more options to students, as well as ties in strong use of technology. Those against it say the schools lack accountability and oversight and question the funding method.
There are two cyber schools in the state with an enrollment of 400 students each. Should the bill pass, the cap on the number of schools would be lifted, and the 400 student enrollment cap would be increased to 1,000.
Pavlov, chairman of the Senate's education committee, said virtual learning isn't a new concept, and lifting the cap on cyber schools would give parents another option for their children to learn. He said cyber schools also give students access to courses that might not be offered in a traditional public school.
"It's a great way to catch up on credits if they've fallen behind," Pavlov said. Other provisions in the bill include: Deleting the requirement that cyber school students previously have been enrolled in a public school.
Require an applicant for a cyber school contract demonstrate experience delivering a program that improves student academic achievement. Currently, the state requires the applicant demonstrate experience in serving urban and at-risk student populations through an educational model involving a significant cyber component. Gary Miron, an education professor at Western Michigan University and Port Huron Northern High School graduate, said the state should wait until it has more data from its two cyber schools before lifting the cap.
He said other states have struggled with transparency issues. Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio have adjusted their systems after running into problems, he said. In Florida, a cyber school receives its per-pupil funding after the student finishes the year and passes the state achievement test, Miron said. Miron also was against lifting the cap on charter schools. That bill, SB 618, was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder last week.
Still, he said cyber schools have a more damaging component than charter schools. "Because they will grow so rapidly and will lack accountability," Miron said. Cyber schools are expected to receive similar amounts in per-pupil funding from the state as traditional public schools, which many argue should not be the case because many cyber schools do not have the same overhead costs as traditional public schools.
Pavlov said that's not the case. "They have a tremendous amount of overhead, and many of the cyber schools are brick-and-mortar schools as well," he said. "This isn't just jump online and get your education.
They have teachers, they have class sizes and they have to adhere to all the same standards as other schools." He cited Michigan Connections Academy in Okemos, authorized by Ferris State University Charter Schools Office, which has measures in place to keep track of its students.