Why online learning is on the rise for your child

In addition to connecting people through social media platforms, the internet strives to do even more: teach.

True, people find plenty of entertainment, online shopping and social networking opportunities online, but what about learning opportunities? At times, it can be difficult for parents to teach their children without passing on their preexisting learning anxieties. When it comes to the way people learn, the tools of teaching are changing.

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Vouchers 2.0 could be Education Savings Accounts [Wisconsin]

Keep this phrase in mind: Education savings accounts.

It may not be occurring at your kitchen table, but at some tables, people are talking about the future of school choice programs in Wisconsin. And these are, in many cases, important people — thought leaders and political leaders among Republicans and conservatives — who are likely to have strong roles to play when decisions are made as part of the hugely important state budget process next spring.

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Las Vegas students seek solace in online schools after being bullied

October is anti-bullying month, and local schools and organizations have made efforts to get the word out that the problem is widespread and deeply damaging.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s website, stopbullying.gov, kids who are bullied can experience negative physical and mental health issues including depression and anxiety, changes in sleep and eating patterns and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.

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The evolution of online learning in policy and the classroom

In 2007, Pete Bush became the principal for Coopersville High School near Grand Rapids, which had no online learning opportunities in place. But because he knew Michigan Virtual Schools was offering new foreign language course offerings, he thought he'd seize the opportunity to help students learn in a new way and take a course the small school of just 800 students couldn't offer itself.

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Close schools because of poor test scores? Michiganders say no

Michigan residents who participated in a poll earlier this month overwhelmingly oppose closing schools based solely on test scores, believe there are other ways to fix low-performing schools, and say parents should have input in the school closing process.

The results of the poll — conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and commissioned by the Michigan chapter of PublicSchoolOptions.org — were released today. The public school options group is an advocacy group that promotes the rights of parents to choose their children's schools.

Patrick Lanne of Public Opinion Strategies said opposition to using test scores solely to close schools was strong both among Republicans and Democrats.

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Parental choice program enrollments announced in Watertown

The Department of Public Instruction announced enrollment figures for the Wisconsin parental choice programs for the 2016-17 school year.

Two area schools, Lakeside Lutheran High School and Good Shepherd Lutheran School, take part in the program. Lakeside has 25 students participating in the program out of the school's total 401-student enrollment. At Good Shepherd 9.5 full-time equivalent students are participating in the program.

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Not an adult matter: Students take up the fight for school choice

A student-run advocacy group for educational policies in Vermont is set to continue its fight for school choice through the 2017 legislative session.

“The common misconception is that students don’t care about their education. That’s not true,” said Brennan Murphy, a senior at the The Long Trail School in Dorset, and a member of We The Students.

Nava Crispe, also a senior at The Long Trail School, created We The Students in August to protest Act 46 and the removal of school choice. The group has around 30 participants made up of students from various area schools. They participated in two forums on Act 46 in Montpelier this summer, and are planning to present their message at area schools in the coming months.

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More Wisconsin parents choosing school choice programs

MILWAUKEE –  New enrollment figures released from the state Department of Public Instruction show parental interest in the state’s three private school choice programs continues to grow. 

The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program grew 2 percent over last year, while the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program expanded by 21 percent, according to the data, released earlier this month. Meanwhile, the  Racine Parental Choice Program increased 20 percent.

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