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My personal musings about anything that gets on my radar screen--heavily dominated by politics.

2005-02-09

Branson, Colorado Is On The Map

With no grocery store or gas station and a population of 77 souls, this desert village seems an unlikely home for a fast-growing public school that has enrolled students from all across Colorado.

There are just 65 students attending Branson's lone brick and mortar school, but there are an additional 1,000 enrolled in its online affiliate. And with the state paying school districts $5,600 per pupil, Branson Online has been a bonanza. Founded in 2001, it has received $15 million so far.

This is how the story in the WednesdayNew York Times opens. This is sort of innovation and clever thinking that educators who have a less insular view of the world should be doing on a daily basis.

Of course, the report isn't all rosy--the academic performance of such schools is mixed. So who comes to the rescue?? Yep, you guessed it--your not-so-friendly local legislator.

State Senator Sue Windels, a Democrat who heads the Education Committee, introduced a bill last month that would tighten the monitoring of online schools.

You had to know that was coming.

And, I wonder when the last time Branson was mentioned in the Times.
Posted by: Michael / 2/09/2005 01:20:00 AM

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