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US: Missouri lawmakers vote to create 'virtual school'

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (AP) -- Missouri students who are home sick, home-schooled or in need of a different approach to education could soon find their teachers on the Internet.

State lawmakers voted Tuesday to create a "virtual public school" that would link students to teachers and textbooks by computer starting in 2007. Gov. Matt Blunt supports the idea but is reviewing the legislation before deciding whether to sign it, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which would oversee the virtual school, expects it to start with about 500 students and a $2.6 million cost.

It would be up to the education department, which supported the bill, to determine who could enroll for a single class or as a full-time student, said deputy education commissioner Bert Schulte.

"It's not just the kid who wants to stay home and do nothing; it is an intensive program to try to reach those kids who have needs," said Republican Rep. Brian Baker.

Several other states offer similar computer-based programs. The Missouri legislation would require the program to meet the same standards as a typical school district, including using certified teachers, an approved curriculum and state standardized tests, and making progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Posted by: SoulRiser
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Posted in: News on May 10, 2006 @ 12:00 AM

Tags: School

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