Sign of the Times: Virtual School in SC and CCSD

Flexibility is its middle name. 

The Richland I school district (Columbia) offers "'home schoolers, teen parents, and the academically gifted student, as well as aspiring professional dancers, artists or athletes who must train or practice during the day,'" access to a high school diploma. "'Students who work after school or during the day, as well as those working in family businesses, would be ideal candidates,'" 

Different here is that "In Richland 1, prospective virtual students must submit a questionnaire and an application that includes an essay, transcript, report card and four written recommendations from educators or coaches." Such requirements should ensure that this program will succeed where other virtual schools are failing in the state.

Locally, the Charleston County School District does not put forward such a possibility. Extolling the virtues of a piecemeal approach, Deputy Superintendent of Learning Services Cindy Ambrose said, "Perhaps they want to take a class they cannot fit into their schedule, or there are not enough students seeking to take a class, which would prohibit a particular school from offering that class. There are so many unique needs, and to better meet our students' needs, we are considering a virtual school program."

Maybe CCSD needs to take another look at Richland I. Those partial programs aren't doing so well.