12/6/2007
It's a big deal when parents have to join the union
A state appeals court, in a suit brought by WEAC against the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), ruled yesterday that DPI must immediately stop payments to the school, operated by the Northern Ozaukee School District.
The court ruled against WIVA on three claims, two stemming from the issue of location of the school (where is a “virtual” school located? – the court said it wasn’t “in the district” and as such was illegal) and a third stating that parents cannot perform the duties of a licensed teacher.
Wow. So when is a parent not a teacher?
Here’s how the WI Administrative Code defines “teaching” (per the court ruling) “improving pupil learning by planning instruction, diagnosing learning needs, prescribing content delivery through classroom activities, assessing student learning, reporting outcomes to administrators and parents and evaluating the effects of instruction.”
And here’s what the court had to say about it. … the District proposes that even if WIVA parents engage in “teaching,” the licensure statute applies only to “professional teachers”—the employees of a public school. The argument is essentially that a “teacher” is generally understood to be a professional employed to teach and, thus, the statute does not regulate WIVA’s parents, even if they serve the same role as teachers, because they are not paid.
….We wish to emphasize that the issue in this case is not simply what the parents do, but what the school requires them to do [“A parent is required to devote four to five hours per day to the student’s education”. Students are supported by paid, licensed staff as well.] in order for the school to function. We underscore that no one is suggesting that a parent assisting his or her child to whatever extent the parent finds necessary is “illegal.” The question is not whether and how a parent may assist his or her child with schoolwork; rather, it is whether the District can establish a public school, using public funds, that relies upon unlicensed individuals as the primary teachers of the pupils. The problem is not that the unlicensed WIVA parents teach their children, but that they “teach in a public school.”
And we are convinced beyond doubt that the activities of the WIVA parents constitute “teaching in a public school.” …. The Families protest that they are more than competent to play the role that WIVA requires of them. They also point to our state’s long record of educational innovation. But our role in this case is not to weigh public policies, it is to interpret the statutes. …. WIVA may be, as its proponents claim, a godsend for children who would not succeed in more traditional public schools, as well as a welcome new option for parents who want their children to receive a home-based education for any number of reasons. But it is also a public school operated with state funds, and its operation violates the statutes as they now stand. It is for the citizens of this state, through their elected representatives in the legislature, to decide whether and how their tax money is going to be spent. If the citizenry wants tax money spent on virtual schools like WIVA, that is fine. Let the citizens debate it and set the parameters, not the courts. [Emphases are mine.]
I see the court giving the legislature light to work on the statutes, modifying them to allow us to teach our kids. However, with WEAC’s long and rich campaign tentacles everywhere, modifying the statutes to allow the very successful, innovative WIVA is probably dead on arrival.
So, while WIVA contemplates an appeal to the State Supreme Court, no public dollars are to support parents aiding paid, certified, union members. Damn. Parents, the problem is you’re just not professional enough to be part of the union. Pony up your dues. Maybe that’s what would make WEAC happy. (Rick Esenberg takes a reasoned look at the ruling. Very well done. May establish the basis for a WIVA appeal.) (Appleton Superintendent Lee Allinger doesn’t believe the Appleton Area School District’s Virtual Academy is threatened by the ruling. Hmmm. Just you wait.)
COMMENTS
Ever since I heard this story reported my question is, so how are/were the students doing, anyway? Isn't that what's really important? (Menasha motto - reaching every student every day...) I feel a phone call to my state rep coming - and maybe a letter to the lefty editor too! This ruling a direct contradiction to our kids' schools wanting the parents to be more involved and will only enable the lazy parents who want someone else to do their job!
guy hegg (Thu Dec 06 06:37:30 2007)
I would be very interesting to see a "cost analysis" of Appleton's Virtual School.
I think a large profit would be found.
DAVID (Thu Dec 06 08:01:06 2007)
I do have the utmost of respect for the teaching profession, and I do not personaly purport to possess the teaching credentials of a certified public school teacher. That having been said, I was fortunate enough to have been the parent mentor for both of my sons while they took several of their high school courses online through the Appleton eSchool. The motto of the Appleton eSchool, I believe was adopted from the Florida Virtual Schools which is education, anytime, anyplace, anypath, anypace. All of my sons' coursework was evaulated by certified high school teachers from both the Appleton and Kiel School Districts, but in order for online education to succeed there needs to be a highly involved adult mentor whether it be another teacher, or most likely a highly motivated parent. What this amounts to is mastering some of the coursework by the coach/mentor in order to be able to help and assist your child with questions that need to be answered when the course teacher is not immediately available. I do not believe that virtual education is a substitute for the classroom, but in my opinion, this type of education augments the classroom education, as well as, placing the primary responsibility for success in education where it belongs, on the student and his/her family. Appleton eSchool was a very enriching educational opportunity for my sons, as well as, myself. I would highly recommmend that every family in the AASD be exposed and required to participate with at least one online course during their child's educational experience. This form of education also forces your child to become extremely computer literate, a tool which is paramount for success with a contemporary college education. I think that Ben Vogel, Constance Radke, and the entire faculty of the Appleton eSchool have done an exemplary job with the concept of online education at the high school level.
Christopher J. Glapa DDS (Thu Dec 06 09:36:29 2007)
We disagree on the fundamental point of the average parent being as competent as the average teacher.
I'm a Luddite when it comes to using more computers to perform the function of face to face instruction. When machines are used to look up words from the dictionary, ok. But that's pretty much the limit. The lack of interaction provided by the average online tutorial is pretty much understood.
Back to competency. The ability to have kids has little to do with teaching them. The point of teaching and school should be and is socialization and interaction with people who are not your parents.
Now, all 13-year-olds breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Virtual schools are another privatization scam being run by the faith based community to usurp the function that society provides for introducing young people to the larger world of ideas. I doubt that the average viewer of Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity, Charlie Sykes and readers of The New American, will ever EVER provide any usable insight into the larger world in which we live.
Lon Ponschock (Thu Dec 06 22:20:54 2007)
The folks above covered the main points very well. As a public school teacher here in the valley, I have to just add that once again I am embarrassed to be part of an organization like WEAC that feels it needs to go after anything that threatens the status quo for the better. And what of the WEAC member staff at the virtual school? I guess they have to take a knife for the bosses. The joys of mandatory union membership in Wisconsin...
Brady Kiel (Thu Dec 06 22:11:45 2007)
That's a pretty strong statement Lon. Especially your ending salvo. Can't take it too seriously....
Jo E. (Fri Dec 07 02:17:54 2007)
Guy Hegg
"Ever since I heard this story reported my question is, so how are/were the students doing, anyway?"
I'm a WIVA parent and can only speak for my two boys; very well thank you! They're above grade level in most subjects.
I think this is typical of most home schooled kids - we don't spend 10 hours a day in school but they know it's important to us so the time that is spent counts.
Lon Ponschock
"I'm a Luddite when it comes to using more computers to perform the function of face to face instruction. When machines are used to look up words from the dictionary, ok. But that's pretty much the limit. The lack of interaction provided by the average online tutorial is pretty much understood."
The K12 material provided by WIVA is not, strictly speaking, a computer tutorial. Some is online, most is designed to be printed and there is a great deal of 'hands on' material.
"Back to competency. The ability to have kids has little to do with teaching them. The point of teaching and school should be and is socialization and interaction with people who are not your parents."
Silly me; I thought the point of school was to become educated. WIVA kids do interact with each other at regular outings, and they have (or at least my boys do) as many friends outside the home as they would if they went to the school down the road.
"Virtual schools are another privatization scam being run by the faith based community "
WIVA is a public school - it's only diff from the one down the road is that they attend school at the house.
" I doubt that the average viewer of Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity, Charlie Sykes and readers of The New American, will ever EVER provide any usable insight into the larger world in which we live. "
You might be surprised at my own politics, and those of other WIVA parents. I'm not home schooling because of my political beliefs but because I know my wife and I can do a better job of educating our children.
Brian (Fri Dec 07 22:07:54 2007)
It is evident upon reading the article that is printed here that the author has very little knowledge about the online education system offered by WIVA. If he did he would know that there is not nearly as much computer oriented interaction as there is one on one action. He would also know that there is an entire curriculum that is provided to each student that has up to date materials that the student does not have to share with 25 or so of their peers. The WIVA students are provided with one on one attention when materials are not understood and not told by their teacher to "look it up" as many students have been told by over worked teachers inside a brick and mortar school. The author also does not realize that the teachers that WIVA provides are certified teachers and not computer generated robots. The students are also required to take state standardized tests as are any other regular public school student. The difference? WIVA does not exclude special education students for fear of bringing down test scores.
I have two students that attend WIVA and one student that attends a brick and mortar public school system. The two younger children are in WIVA because it is the best possible choice of an education for them and their particular learning styles. The older one, being the only one old enough for standardized testing, scores in the 90th percentile on his testing scores.
When people meet my children I am commended on their intelligence, behavior, and attitude. I attribute much of this to the choice I have made regarding their education.
Yes, I am capable of teaching my children. Even if I did not have a college education and was not certified to teach in two states I would still be qualified to teach them. Why? Because parents are the first teachers of their children. Not all parents do it well, that is true. But you will find that those parents that do not take an interest in their children are the least likely candidates for having their children educated inside their homes. These are the parents, for the most part, that send their children out to the regular public school system in an effort to not have to deal with them.
I will not apologize for the choices that I have made for my children. I have no religious affiliations that have determined my choice for schooling of my boys. I am simply a parent that knows without any equivocation that WIVA is one of the best educational alternatives I have seen in all my years as an educator. To have them close would be a travesty, not justice.
Donna (Mon Dec 10 16:22:55 2007)
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