Lift the Cap
A Project of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families
The data is here.
The conclusion is clear.
Mandated Audit Shows No Justification for Capping Enrollment and Locking out Children from Wisconsin’s Virtual Schools
The much-anticipated audit of the state's 'Virtual' schools shows no justification for continuing to cap enrollment in these excellent public online charter schools.
The audit shows tremendous satisfaction on the part of all involved. Every school would love to be loved as much as these virtual schools.
This audit proves there is absolutely no justification for an arbitrary enrollment cap that locks out children from attending these excellent schools.
According to the findings of the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau:
- More than 90 percent of the parents and guardians, teachers, and high school pupils surveyed were satisfied with their virtual charter school
- Full-time enrollment in virtual charter schools increased from 265 pupils in the 2002-03 school year to 2,951 pupils in the 2007-08 school year.
- In the five largest schools, which enrolled 92.2 percent of all pupils in 2007-08, total enrollment ranged from 245 to 865 pupils
- All 161 virtual charter school teachers were licensed in Wisconsin and taught subjects and grade levels that were appropriately authorized by their professional Wisconsin teaching licenses
The curricula in these schools are rigorous, the teaching excellent and the collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators could serve as a model for the entire state. The audit proves an enrollment cap is not necessary.
The 5,250 enrollment ceiling serves as a deterrent to those looking at educational options for their children
Parents who are looking into this public school option for the first time need to know that the State supports this successful educational model.
The arbitrary and now pointless Cap looms large and discourages many from pursuing this option during the narrow open enrollment window we are under.
Parents who are looking into this public school option for the first time need to know that the State supports this successful educational model.
The arbitrary and now pointless Cap looms large and discourages many from pursuing this option during the narrow open enrollment window we are under.
The audit was the result of a legislative compromise in 2008 which, while keeping virtual schools operating in Wisconsin, capped their enrollment and directed the LAB to perform this review. Opponents and skeptics of this proven educational option, which is growing in popularity each year, wanted more data on which to base decisions regarding the schools’ future.
Well, they have the data. These schools work. Now lift the enrollment cap!
Do all you can to help!
1. LOOK over the Audit Summary and our handy Q and A page for talking points and information provided to you by the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families. If you need additional information, send us a quick email.
2. CALL your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support efforts THIS YEAR to remove the cap on enrollment in online public charter schools (virtual schools). Click here to find out who is supposed to work for you in Madison.
3. EMAIL a short letter to your local paper. They want to hear from their readers about the issues that are important in the community.
4. Let us know that you've done steps 1 through 3. Please send us a brief email at: info@wivirtualschoolfamilies.org once you've done your part to help lift the cap!
Lift the Enrollment Cap
on Virtual Schools!
