Virtual Ed. Advocates Respond to Wave of Criticism

It’s been a rough time for the image of K-12 virtual education.

Studies in Colorado and Minnesota have suggested that full-time online students are struggling to match the achievement levels of their peers in brick-and-mortar schools. Articles in The New York Times questioned not only the academic results for students in virtual schools, but also the propriety of business practices surrounding the use of public dollars for such programs.

Meanwhile, two left-leaning magazines, The Nation and Mother Jones, contended last month that policies pushed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the name of digital opportunities for students have the ulterior motive of funneling money...