Re: Missouri Virtual Public School

[Kenneth Bernstein <kber@earthlink.net>]

Let me offer the following

right now there are many bright students who do not have access to things like AP and other rigorous courses.  One could argue that the use of virtual schooling could broaden their opportunities.

The father of a youong man I am teaching this year for the 2nd year in a rwo wolrks at the neter for Talented Youth at JOHNS HOPKINS.   Abvout a year ago he approached me to teach AP Government online to extgremely gifted students (not junios and seniors).  I seriously explored the idea.   While I have some extremely gifted students in my classes, the idea of being able to interact with and challenge the particular groups offered me was quite inviting.  Ultimatetly I turned down the opportunity because I had not yet taught the course -- this is my first year doing so  -- and thought that might be unfair to the students.  With all else I do, it would have been difficult but not impossible to fit in.

I also look at cases where students are very spread out -  there are places for exmaple on the Great Plains where there really is not much density of population.  Virtual schooling could save students the excessive time spent travlling to and from school.

On the other hand, I think the ab ility to interact, including informally, is often an important part of the schooling process.  Thus like some others, I have somewhat mixed feelings about what Peter has passed on to u, albeit for somewhat different reasons.

For what it is worth

kenneth Bernstein

Kenneth J. Bernstein