Virtual Charter Schools: Realities and Unknowns

October 18, 2013

Kid_on_Computer_01Virtual charter schools have emerged over the last decade as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional public schooling. Unlike their face-to-face counterparts, virtual charter schools educate students through blended or entirely online curricula. They present a host of new policy issues that should be scrutinized in order to ensure that students enrolled in virtual charter schools are receiving an adequate, if not excellent, education. This article explores the landscape in which virtual charter schools have emerged and describes their operation. Finally, the article discusses some of the challenges, opportunities, and key research recommendations associated with virtual charter schools.

The Journal of Distance Education

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