Both KUNC and I-News, who investigated in collaboration with Education News Colorado, have been reporting on K-12 Online Education in Colorado. The results have been discovery of low graduation rates, lax oversight and a widening achievement gap for those that attend online only schools - and calls for a state audit.
► Why are Colorado’s Online K-12 Students Failing? A Conversation with I-News Reporters
An investigative report by I-News, a Colorado-based in-depth news consortium, shows that taxpayers will spend $100 million this year on virtual schools that are largely failing their elementary and high school students.
► Online Education: A Pattern of Lax Oversight
Part 3 of the I-News investigation.
► Online Education: The Expanding Achievement Gap
Part 2 of the I-News investigation.
► Online Education: Churning & Turning
Part 1 of the I-News investigation.
► K12 Inc.: Public Online Schools, Private Profits
At a time when public schools are seeing deep cuts in funding, there’s a growing market for companies running online elementary, middle and high schools. The largest for-profit company overseeing these programs in Colorado is Virginia-based company. While public schools are struggling to survive, K12 Inc.—with the support of state tax dollars—is reporting double digit profits. Meantime, it’s not measuring up to state academic standards.
