OHIO EDUCATION Cyberschools gain popularity among public districts in state

Some are concerned about low test scores in cyberschools.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Ohio already has 41 "cyberschools" with more than 12,000 pupils taking classes online, and those numbers -- as well as the tax dollars paid to them -- are sure to grow this fall.
Such schools received more than $61 million in state and local money last year. A large Pennsylvania-based private provider plans to open in an Ohio border town this fall, and public school districts are increasing their online presence as a way to enhance educational offerings and keep more of the dollars tied to pupil enrollment.
Cyberschools in Ohio operate as charter schools, meaning that they are supported by public dollars but can be operated by private, for-profit management firms.
Under state law, each school district is guaranteed at least $5,058 per pupil. When a pupil switches to a charter school, the money goes with him or her.
This fall, the 3,000-pupil Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School plans to set up shop in East Liverpool, three miles from the school's headquarters in Midland, Pa.
"To us, the state line has always been kind of a man-made boundary," said Nick Trombetta, the cyberschool's chief administrator and superintendent of the Midland school district.
Districts' cyberschools
Public school districts, including Akron and Lorain, also are opening digital alternatives.
"I would lie to you if I said that keeping our students was not a factor in this," said Todd Hanes, superintendent of the Elida schools in Allen County. "A student who wants online learning will find it. We need to be in this market to keep our students enrolled."
A state education official said he likes the trend he sees with cyberschools.
"What's encouraging to us is that we're observing a noticeable shift in the motivation for establishing a digital school," said Steve Burigana, who heads the office responsible for charter schools for the Ohio Department of Education. "We're seeing a real focus on education."
That's been a concern in some instances.
Low test scores
Low cyberschool test scores prompted the state to place Ohio's largest cyberschool, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow in its "academic emergency" category last year after the school met only one of 22 state targets: attendance.
Another large cyber operation, the TRECA Digital Academy, was designated for "academic watch," also because of low test scores.
Cyber operators say their schools often include pupils who have dropped out of traditional schools and are looking for a second chance. They also can help pupils catch up.
When Conneaut pupil Chad Boyle caught mononucleosis and fell behind in high school, the superintendent of his district suggested online learning. This month, the youngster graduated from ECOT.
"I think it's wonderful, but there is one catch: The child has to be very disciplined," said his mother, Roxanne Snyder. "Chad ended up liking it so well, and he did well at it."
Cyberschools lack traditional trappings such as cafeterias, science labs and buses, but there is structure. In most cases, pupils are required to be logged on 25 hours a week, and those who do not can face truancy charges.
To complement their electronic curriculum, most cyberschools arrange field trips and other events.