North Carolina is inching closer to getting its first virtual schools, according to local media outlets. A special committee OK’d applications from two for-profit companies, which were the only applicants.
The special committee includes state education officials and an outside evaluator, reports the Charlotte Observer.
The North Carolina Board of Education is required by the state legislature to approve two virtual charter schools this year to open in 2015 as part a four-year pilot program.
According to the Charlotte Observer, one of the virtual school operators, K12 Inc., has run into trouble in other states. For example, Tennessee’s education commissioner threatened to close one of K12’s schools if it didn’t improve student performance.
The state board of education is expected to make final approval decisions in February.