LANSING – Removing the cap on cyberschools in the state is inching closer to completion in the Michigan House Education Committee.

In October, the Senate passed SB 619 by the thinnest margin, but it is not supported by the administration.

On Wednesday, those testifying in support of the bill consumed the vast majority of the hour and a half committee hearing. Those in the crowd also in support wore bright yellow scarves in recognition of National School Choice week.

Steve Slifko, of Commerce Township, said his grandson attends the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy and that is has been invaluable to his education.

He said his grandson is disabled and can’t speak or write, but he can hear and type. He said his grandson has flourished at the school and feels it saved his life.

“Save is a very strong word, but it is a word that we feel best describes what this school of choice has done for our grandson,” he said.

During the state’s application for federal “Race to the Top” funding in 2009, Michigan permitted two cyber schools to open – of which the MVCA is one – with a maximum enrollment of 1,000 – mainly targeted at dropouts.

SB 619 would remove the cap on the number of students the two cyberschools in the state could enroll, as well as removing the restriction of having only two of the schools.

The bill would also expand the types of cyberschools that could be opened, removing the requirement that they offer all grades and looking for operators that have demonstrated improving academic achievement, not just working with urban and at-risk students.

Critics at the hearing said the state should wait until the two cyberschools have been in place for two years to study how effective they are before opening the floodgates. The Department of Education and the Board of Education share the same concern. Last week, Governor Rick Snyder’s administration said he favors the use of online learning in schools, but not the expansion of cyberschools.

Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, said there is national data to look at. He also said more than 500 traditional schools have sought waivers to conduct online learning, showing the interest is there.

At issue he said is whether the state will pick winners and losers and only let traditional public schools offer online learning, or if charters can offer it as well.

Quisenberry said there are thousands of students on the waiting lists to attend the two cyberschools now allowed.

Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins testified in support of the bills and encouraged lawmakers to be pioneers, not settlers.

“We need to create high quality alternatives for our children,” he said.

Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village) asked about putting quality standards in place first before allowing unlimited cyber charter schools.

“Once we pass this, we open up the window and all the flies can come in, every single one of them,” he said. “And then we have to try and figure out, which ones are good, which ones are bad, get our flyswatter out and kill the ones that are bad. Why get the flyswatter out? Let’s just make sure we let the good ones come in and be done with it on the front end.”

Jerry Johnson, with the Genesee Intermediate School District, opposed the bill, saying it is unnecessary, risky and laden with pitfalls.

He said cyber learning has great potential and can be a benefit for students, but cautioned the way the bill is written would not provide the proper framework to ensure quality and that students will get the best possible education.

“SB 619 presents the potential to Wal-Mart public education,” Johnson said. “As written, we believe this bill serves the interests of private, for-profit entities, not those of students.”

Johnson said the claims about cyber schools should be met with certain questions about the data and measures they are basing those on.

“We need data, not promises,” he said.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

a>>