Addendum

Addendum Addressing the newest Online School:

Ohio Virtual Academy (a Partner School of K12)

What are the primary concerns with this Cyber Community School?

In a nutshell:

1. How it is marketing it’s program

2. How it is “framing” itself in the home school community

The first letter, mailed out to families on May 21, 2002, was distributed primarily to home school families throughout the state of Ohio.

	Why home school families? Because that is a solid, proven market and one that would take advantage of this type of school. However, if this is a public school, why are they not also marketing this more significantly to the general public? Their letter even states, “If your child’s academic needs are not being met in the traditional classroom setting…the Ohio Virtual Academy might be for you.” But most of the families who received this letter are no longer in a traditional classroom setting, they have already chosen home schooling.
	Many families called me with concerns about where OHVA/K12 had obtained the mailing lists. I was able to calm their concerns since CHEO has never sold, rented, or given our database out to ANYONE.
	This letter also makes the following statement: “Right now families in Pennsylvania, California, Alaska, and Colorado are successfully educating their children in virtual academies using K12’s curriculum. Thousands of homeschoolers throughout the country are also using K12.” Why do they confuse the reader by mentioning a public community school program in one sentence and then an independent curriculum that could be used by homeschool families in the next? K12 may be an independent curriculum provider but it is ALSO the sole curriculum provider for The OHVA. In fact, the envelope that the letter came in referred to The OHVA as a Partner School of K12.

The second letter that was mailed out on June 4, 2002, was addressed to the Parent-Educator. This letter was also sent to home educators throughout the state of Ohio.

	(Note: I find it interesting whom the separate letters are addressed to. The first letter is addressed to “Dear Parent”, the second letter (promoting K12, not OHVA) is addressed to “Dear Parent-Educator”. If the letters were sent to same group, home educators, the implication is that those who sign up for the OHVA are “only” parents, whereas those who purchase the K12 for their home school curriculum are considered “parent-educators”.
	This letter encourages families who will be in Columbus June 27-29, 2002, to visit them and review the K12 curriculum. They specifically reference the Veterans Memorial Hall. Why? Because they know that is where the CHEO Annual State Convention is being held. Their dates also coincide with the convention dates. Now, there is nothing illegal about this, but I think it is unethical especially due to one single fact. They were declined an opportunity to participate as an exhibitor at the convention due to the status of their state contract as a community school. Inviting them would be no different than inviting a local public school down the street to some and sell their curriculum and perhaps entice some of these families to join their new programs.
	Let me paint the following picture.

o A family decides to visit the K12 presentation while they are at the CHEO convention.

o They are impressed with the materials and what it has to offer their family.

o They are then shown the cost (which is significant for a home school curriculum).

o The K12 Representative then tells them, “You can have all of this material, plus a computer and printer, plus a state-certified teacher, plus a state-accredited diploma, etc…and it is ALL FREE if you just enroll in this new community school!

o How many families will decline to sign up? Has anyone heard of the term, “Bait & Switch”? Another family has now lost most of the autonomy they previously had as a home school family.

Do families really know what they are agreeing to when they enroll their children in these “schools”? I have a copy of the Enrollment Package for OHVA and it is extensive. It you had any doubts that this is a public school, you only have to briefly review this package.

You are required to provide OHVA (and the state through EMIS, for your child will be tracked within the state system) with the following information (I will highlight only a few).
§         Ethnicity, gender, social security number of the child enrolling
§         Asks if either of the parents are federal workers or migrant workers?
§         Names of ALL the adults who will be working with your child.
§         Name, relationship to student, and birth date of all children living in household (even if they are not enrolled in the program).
§         Medical history (including vaccine records).
§         Range of income, for Federal Free and Reduced Meals Program (even though they state that OHVA does not participate in this program).
§         Agreement for use of school property. This is fascinating because I have had several families mention to me that they could sign up for the program, and then quit in six months and just keep the computer and hardware. However, the contract you sign is clear that the computer, hardware, and all other non-perishable materials are the property of OHVA and MUST be returned when you drop from the program. These resources are just on loan, you don’t get to keep them. You even have to guarantee that you have insurance for these resources. FYI: also note that each family only gets ONE computer. That may difficult to do if you have 4 children. Also, the software is solely for the education of the student while enrolled at OHVA. Contractually, You can’t let another child in your home (not enrolled) use the computer in any manner.

And we thought the home school regulations were too onerous! You very quickly recognize that THIS IS a PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I encourage each of you to educate yourselves regarding these schools. They are NOT GOING AWAY! We need to read the actual contracts, understand the distinction between home education and home-based public schooling, and educate each other so that none of us will be drawn “back to Egypt” through the enticements and programs being offered to home educators.

If you wish to research this topic in greater detail, please visit the following websites:

www.cheohome.org

www.hslda.org

Also, if you would like me to speak to your local group on this topic, you may contact me at: chosenvalley@aol.com