Cyber Schools and Cyber Charter Schools

Often parents interested in a home-based education look to Cyber and Virtual schools as a viable option. These are different options from home-schooling so it is important to point out a few facts:

Cyber Schools and Cyber Charter Schools

"Cyber" education is not a direct instruction program, but more of a correspondence education. Teachers and students from cyber schools send assignments electronically through the internet and provide flexible student schedules. Cyber schools are run by administrators, therefore the curricular focus is determined by the school and not the parent. Often cyber schools provide social benefits and extracurricular activities for children at their schools.

Virtual Schools and Virtual Charter Schools

"Virtual" education is run in the traditional sense that students attend "classes" during certain hours and are instructed directly by their teachers. However, their classroom is their computer. Again, virtual schools have administrators that choose how the school is run and the programs used. Virtual schools may also provide extracurricular activities and social engagements for students.

As is the case with both cyber and virtual schools, as long as they are considered "public" schools, charter or district run, there should be no cost to the parent, typically including whatever computer resources the student may need.

Connections Academy, www.connectionsacademy.com

Operating in more than ten states, Connections Academy provides a new form of free public school that students attend from home. This is a unique program that combines the strong parental involvement of home-schooling, the expertise and accountability of public funded education, and the flexibility of online classes. Connections Academy schools operate under management contracts from charter schools or school districts.

K12 Virtual Academy, www.k12.com/virtual_academy

Founded in 1999 by former U.S. Education Secretary, Bill Bennett, K12, Inc. offers a variety of online standards based learning opportunities. K12 Virtual Academies operate under charter schools or school districts.