See also, Betty Bean (scroll down at link):

Cutting edge or money scam? A look at the short history of the Tennessee Virtual Academy

Michael Milken, Michael Milken, Michael Milken.

Why is that name not enough for anybody to realize this is a bad idea?

When somebody rolls into town on a white horse, but wearing a black hat, hide your cash.

Randy, thanks for linking to Bean's story in Shopper-News -- a full two weeks ahead of the Chattanooga story that was then picked up by KNS. We were stonewalled on test results ... but I'm personally covering the Union County school board and commission. And we will not let this story die.

This is about money, not educating kids. Just this week the TN Virtual Academy principal said more than 3,000 kids have enrolled. By nabbing Union County's share of the BEP for 3,000 students ... A potential $18 million in tax dollars will be siphoned from public education for an out-of-state corporation. Who thinks this is a good idea? -- s.

Bill Bennett, Reagan's Sec of Ed, compulsive gambler was K12's first board chairman. So Milken is involved, too? Why would anyone listen to Bill Bennett or Michael Milken about ANYTHING? The Milkens already scammed us with their invalid TEAM/TAP teacher 'evaluations.'

How much money has TN taxpayers forked over to a compulsive gambler and a convicted wall st felon with the blessings of the non-educators in TN DoEd and SCORE sycophants? Can the public get a copy of K12's 990's?

Jon Pelto is an former Connecticut legislator who has a sharp eye for the inner workings of government officials and their corporate cronies. He has some insight on K12:

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Today, K12 Inc. is one of nine major for-profit companies running on-line public schools around the country. With over 147,000 students enrolled in their various divisions, K12 Inc. is the largest of them all and is producing annual revenues of over $650 million

This past February, a New York Times investigative report determined that K12’s performance doesn’t come close to their rhetoric.

While they brag of their successes, the New York Times found that “nearly 60 percent of its students are behind grade level in math. Nearly 50 percent trail in reading.

A third of the students do not graduate on time. And hundreds of children, from kindergartners to high school seniors, “withdraw within months after they enroll.”

K12 Inc. is even facing a shareholder lawsuit for misrepresenting its performance to its shareholders.

However, K12 Inc. isn’t alone when it comes to a record of failure. A major study out of Stanford University found that “in every subgroup, with significant effects, cyber charter performance is lower.”

Yes, thanks so much to the Shopper for running this series. I meant to post a link to Betty's first story, got sidetracked, went out of town for a few days, then temporarily forgot about it.

Very pleased to see you (and Andy Berke) holding K12's horrific performance up to the light.

The Florida Department of Education has launched an investigation of K12, the nation’s largest online educator, over allegations the company uses uncertified teachers and has asked employees to help cover up the practice.

Read more here: (link...)

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