Students vie for a spot on the Missouri Virtual school program
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Students vie for a spot on the Missouri Virtual school program

Date: May 9, 2007
By: Fanna Haile-Selassie
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Missouri students have started applying to the new Virtual School program. Fanna (FAUNA) Haile-Selassie (HIGH-lay-sah-LAH-say) has the story. RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The application process began this Monday for the virtual school program that will start this August.

Students will have three weeks to register for the program.

If the 5.2 million dollar budget passes for the program, it will allow for one thousand full-time students to enroll, but the students will be picked through a lottery system.

Republican representative Brian Baker proposed a similar bill in the Missouri House.  He spoked at a press conference encouraging the program.

 

Actuality:  BAKER.WAV
Run Time: 00:12
Description: This is the first time we can actually sit here and say we are now the Show you state. We're going to show people how we can impact the lives of children.

All students can apply for the program, except for students who are currently in unaccredited or partially accredited schools.

There is an amendment that is trying to fix the problem, but the failing school districts would have to give up a portion of the student's state funding.

From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX NEWS

Intro: Missouri students can now apply for the new virtual school program. The program is open to all Missouri students accept for those in unaccredited or partially accredited school districts. Fanna (FAUNA) Haile-Selassie (HIGH-lay-sah-LAH-say) has more from the Capitol.  RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

As Governor Matt Blunt announced a good beginning for the application process to the new virtual school system, the question was raised about those students in unaccredited and partially accredited school districts. 

Currently, these students will not be considered in the lottery to accept students for the program.

However, there is an amendment trying to be passed that would allow these students to enroll in the accredited virtual school program. 

But the already failing school districts would have to give up some the student's state funding.

Republican representative Brian Baker says the money shouldn't be a problem.

Actuality:  BAKER2.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: St. Louis is spending 10,000 for ADA and it only costs 5,000 to put the kid in the virtual school.  They would keep the remaining 5,000 to help other kids.
 
Opponents to the program are unsure how well the program will work and provide students a good education.
 
From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX NEWS