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Colorado Connections Academy |
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Colorado Connections Academy (ColoCA)—formerly Denver Connections Academy—provides a new form of public school that students can attend from home. The Colorado Connections Academy full-time program is a partnership with Denver Public Schools that has been in operation since the Fall of 2002. ColoCA serves students from anywhere in Colorado in grades K–12. Parents pay no tuition for students to attend Colorado Connections Academy. Students are considered to be enrolled in a public school. ColoCA provides textbooks and other curriculum materials. A loaned computer, printer, and subsidy for Internet service are available to students in grades 1–12.
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eTAP |
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eTAP (electronic Teaching Assistance Program) is a non-profit education corporation, whose purpose is to provide K-12 curriculum for the core subjects of Mathematics, English, Science, and History on the world wide Internet. Their instructional material is designed to assist students, teachers and parents. The lessons can be used for students’ instruction and for parents and teachers as an aid to help their children and students. Homeschool parents can use eTAP as their complete instructional program or as a supplement to other programs that they are using. |
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K12 |
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Founded in 1999 by William J. Bennett, along with other leaders, K12 offers a traditional program of learning using online technology and traditional content. Many states are offering the K12 program through Virtual Acadamies, with programs that are free of charge to participating families. |
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K12 Large Families |
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This group is for large families using the K-12 curriculum created by Dr. William Bennett. Both homeschooling families and Virtual School families are welcome. It is particularly intended for families with more than 3 children in K-12 as well as additional teens, toddlers and babies. Discussions include both the curriculum and the challenges of implementing it in a large family. |
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Virtual schools, real concerns |
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The Christian Science Monitor |
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Some 40,000 to 50,000 students in 37 states are enrolled in virtual schools, according to the US Department of Education. Virtual schools have received mixed reviews. Advocates of virtual learning say it opens new horizons, particularly for students in rural communities where choices are limited, or for those with special needs due to illness or serious involvement with athletics. But critics worry about the lack of face-to-face interaction. And some homeschoolers worry that enrolling in a virtual school may lead to loss of independence and control of learning.
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