Chicago Prepares for Virtual School

Chicago’s first virtual elementary school, expected to open this fall, will put parents, not teachers, in charge of their kids’ study schedules.

The 600 students expected for the Chicago Virtual Charter School will use school-supplied computers and the Internet to communicate with teachers and for research, as well as workbooks and course materials, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

Sharon Hayes, a Chicago educator who has been named head of the school, said students will spend a lot of time offline doing work-book exercises, hands-on activities and reading.

Hayes said the children will spend one day a week at a downtown learning center with other children and will take class trips. She said she believes it is important for children to socialize, but she does not think they need to be surrounded by kids every single day.

The school, funded by Chicago Public Schools at $6,000 per student, will teach all subjects required by the state of Illinois, Hayes said.

Chicago’s teacher’s union has challenged the program’s ability to make sure children receive the proper hours of instruction required by state law, a task the school says will fall to the parents.