School choice gives Indiana teachers options

School choice in Indiana is often discussed in terms of policies that provide students with educational options, but we overlook the fact that teachers are also given options in their career choices as part of the school choice platform. The fact is every educational setting is a choice. In creating a profession for the 21st century, teachers in Indiana and across the country have begun to take advantage of environments like charter schools and virtual schools like never before. This is what school choice in action is all about.

The growth as a result of new and evolving educational settings has meant positive advancement in the profession. Once limited to rigid traditional school terms and schedules, teachers are employed in traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, parochial schools and online schools. Educators in turn have choices themselves when deciding when, where and how to teach kids with school choice options in play. In taking advantage of these options for teachers, the entire profession grows as a result.

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NEAL: Let’s embrace online learning

SOUTHERN INDIANA — As a classroom teacher, I’m not crazy about online schools. I like to think that I can challenge, question, excite and ignite students in a way no Internet program ever could. I’m also a realist. If Indiana wants to improve high school and college graduation rates, we must make education as flexible as possible. On-line learning is the way to do that.

On Aug. 23, the inaugural class will enroll in Indiana Connections Academy, an on-line charter school being offered on a pilot basis by the Indiana Department of Education for students in grades 1-8.

Pupils work at home under guidance from family mentors and on-line certified teachers, who can deliver interactive lessons to groups of students or individuals as needed. The students take part in extra-curricular activities, such as Internet chess clubs, and go on field trips with peers from the online community. It’s home schooling but with a standardized curriculum aligned to state proficiency requirements. As with other public schools, taxpayers foot the bill.

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