After lawmakers battled over the future of virtual schools, a deal has been reached. The fight began in December, after a state appeals court ruled that one of the largest virtual academies was in violation of the law. Therefore, the court ruled it should not receive state funding. The heads of both legislative education committees say they've reached a compromise which includes an enrollment cap at 5,250 students.
State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon) says siblings of enrolled students cannot be denied, under the plan, even with the cap. With current enrollment at approximately 3500 students, Davis says," There's going to be room for families to get into virtual schools to prove these schools are successful."
State Senator John Lehman (D-Racine) says school accountability is in the deal, something the Senate and Governor Doyle had insisted on. He mentions student attendance, the time limits student-teacher response and teacher certification. Both leaders say the Governor plans to sign the agreement.