Bill released to put a stop on “virtual” charter schools

TRENTON – The Assembly Education Committee released, along party lines, a bill that would place a moratorium on so-called virtual

TRENTON – The Assembly Education Committee released, along party lines, a bill that would place a moratorium on so-called virtual , or online, charter schools.

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The bill, A3105, would also create a task force focusing on such schools.

The three Republicans on the committee – David Wolfe, Scott Rumana and Betty Lou DeCroce – voted against the bill

Wolfe, (R-10), of Brick, said the mission of some virtual schools is to appeal to dropouts and passing the bill would be a disservice.

“By this legislation, they will be killed,” Wolfe said. “We’re eliminating an opportunity for some students…to continue their education.”

Rumana said it wouldn’t be prudent without having a dialogue about a potential legal battle that could arise, given that five virtual schools have already been approved by the state Education Department.

But Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, (D-15), of Trenton, and Chairman Patrick Diegnan, (D-17), of South Plainfield said it is incumbent that taxpayers’ money is spent on public education.

Assemblyman Paul Moriority, (D-4), said he believes there should be a moratorium in order to set parameters. However, he added that people should be more open-minded about different ways students learn material, adding that learning from computers isn’t entirely a bad thing.

Supporters of the bill, including the New Jersey Education Association and a grassroots group known as Save Our Schools, supported the bill, saying such schools cannot adequately replace the quality of education provided by brick-and-mortar charter schools. They added that such schools could stifle social development and divert public funds, while enriching private corporations that head them.

Officials from Save Our Schools said some four virtual schools are anticipated to open in Newark.

NJEA said virtual charter schools are basically a backdoor move to skirt accountability.

Bill released to put a stop on “virtual” charter schools