Portfolio of Choice: Virtual Schooling. Brief

Today, nearly all states either offer or allow digital learning in some form, with instruction provided by a variety of providers. This instruction typically takes one of three forms: (1) Full-time virtual schools: Students take their entire course load online via an independent, charter, or district-sponsored program; (2) Blended learning models: Students take a mix of online and face-to-face instruction throughout the school day, within a brick-and-mortar setting; and (3) Online coursework: Individual courses that students who attend school in traditional brick-and-mortar schools take to supplement or expand their education. Enrollment in virtual schools, blended learning schools, and online coursework has increased steadily over the last two decades as the use of computers and tablets for learning has become more common. Given the growth, policymakers need to understand the challenges facing virtual schools and the opportunities they provide to ensure that families have access to high-quality virtual school options. This brief focuses primarily on full-time virtual schools. Its goal is to provide policymakers with an understanding of the policy landscape in which virtual schools are operating as well as an overview of the types of entities that operate virtual schools, the students who enroll in them, and their performance. This publication is one of seven in a series of briefs on school choice from the National Comprehensive Center.