Sanford signs virtual school measure

COLUMBIA — Home-schoolers and students attending public, private or charter schools can take online classes after Gov. Mark Sanford on Thursday signed a new law creating the South Carolina Virtual School Program.

The law, which will be administered by the state Department of Education, will allow students a chance to enroll in online courses that might not otherwise be available to them.

"It's an incredibly important step forward because, among other things, it represents another choice in education," said Sanford, who was joined in the Statehouse via the Internet by students at the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville.

Virtual schools are modeled after regular classroom courses, but students communicate with teachers online and e-mail their homework and other assignments. The law builds on a pilot program first offered last May with summer courses such as geometry and Web design available to students in 11 school districts.

The law will allow students to earn credits in Advanced Placement, remedial and specialty classes online. It will also ease scheduling conflicts, provide individualized instruction and help students meet graduation requirements.

The statewide virtual school specifically could help students from rural schools without many Advanced Placement or elective courses gain additional credits in those areas. Cross High School in rural Berkeley County offers Advanced Placement calculus, and Principal Robb Streeter said he'll recommend the virtual school to motivated and focused students who want to tackle other challenging courses not available at the school.

"You wish you could offer everything to everybody who wants it, but even large high schools sometimes can't always do that," Streeter said. "I certainly support virtual schools for those very talented and committed students who already know what it takes to be successful."

Sanford said he's pleased to see a number of new choice options. The Legislature created a statewide charter school district last year. Next week, the Senate is expected to debate a plan that already has been approved by the House that would allow students to transfer across district lines.

South Carolina joins other states across the nation offering online classes. The program here will cost $3.6 million to implement and could serve an estimated 3,000 students each year, up from 1,921 students who participated in the pilot program.

Schools will not required to provide home computers or Internet access for enrollment in the online courses.

Mindy B. Hagen contributed to this report. Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.