Missouri Virtual Instruction Program

Back in late May I wrote a blog entry that contained the following:

"The North Kansas City School District has been incredibly good to me over the years and I am far more emotional than I ever imagined I would be ending a chapter in my life only to begin another. I prefer to view it as a pause...hoping that one day I will return to the real brick & mortar classroom. "

After taking the position with the Missouri Virtual Instruction program, I have wanted to do nothing else. Although going back in to the classroom would most defnitely continue to fulfill my passion for education, I learned this week, the time may come sooner rather than later.

To give you a little history regarding the program: On Dec. 23rd, 2008, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that had signed an agreement with the University of Missouri’s eMints National Center in Columbia to manage the state’s virtual school. The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program was authorized by the Missouri Legislature in 2006 and has a current state budget of $5.8 million. It has been administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It currently has over 4000 enrollments (3940 state-funded enrollments and only 272 tuition based enrollments) and employs approximately 50 Missouri-certified teachers. Unfortunately, Governor Nixon announced Wednesday that he is eliminating all state funding for the second semester of MoVIP.

This program has become an invaluable resource for students, educators, and parents alike. Virtual education is not for every child, every parent or every family, but neither is the traditional brick and mortar public school. However, the benefits of the Missouri Virtual Education Program are numerous. It permits students in small, rural, or low-wealth school districts to take specialized courses (Advanced Placement, foreign language courses, etc.) that are not ordinarily available to them. It meets the need of students with social or physical issues. Students who are in hospitals, recovering at home, school dropouts who desire to get back in, expelled students, single parents, and students who are involved in competitive athletics or activities. It provides home schooled students with instruction in subjects their parents might not be able to teach, such as foreign languages or computer skills. If our state Governor makes good on his intention to cut funding, how will these students truly receive the education they are entitled to receive?

I have personally taught in the regular classroom for 9 years and because of my passion and belief in online education, I left a tenured position and took a pay cut in order to have the opportunity to work with students in a virtual environment. It is an environment free from distraction and classroom management issues, an environment where I have been able to forge relationships and provide one-on-one communication in a way not possible given the demands of a regular brick and mortar classroom. It leaves very little room for students to fall between the cracks as each student is closely monitored and regularly contacted and encouraged. I have also had the opportunity to observe firsthand the benefits to students who are taking advantage of the MoVIP program. I have seen every reason aforementioned for choosing virtual education and have witnessed pure emotional gratitude for what this program has meant to students, who often, have never been successful academically in any other setting. The virtual environment has allowed for movement away from the old model of teacher-directed learning to a learner-centered educational process that has empowered students to take charge and ownership of the learning at their own pace, on their own time.

The state of Missouri must continue its efforts to move past this one size fits all mentality in education and acknowledge the need for alternatives that technology has now been able to afford our children. In these tough economic times, many difficult choices will have to be made by leaders at the Capitol. Students, parents and educators all across this state hope that the Governor and the General Assembly will see how important this program is to our children. I hope they will find a way to preserve the funding and keep open the only meaningful educational opportunity that many Missouri children have. Online Virtual Education is not just a trend, it's the future of education and many states have invested in growing such programs. Do not allow the State of Missouri to be left behind. Do not deny an education that works for students who traditionally fall between the cracks.

As the decision stands, there will be no 2nd semester courses offered through the Missouri Virtual Education Program. What does this mean for me personally? I will join the ranks of the growing number of unemployed in the state of Missouri and across this nation as of January 1st unless enough voices are heard to make Governor Nixon have a change of heart, especially considering he has always claimed to "put the children of MO first". God has ALWAYS taken care of our family and fortunately, unlike many others facing unemployment, we are financially stable enough to live (although it will be tight) on one income for a while. It will come at a price, but not at one that comes close to measurnig to the loss faced by many Missouri kids.

We have a great administrative team and I am told that the MSTA (Missouri State Teachers Association) is currently working with staff in the governors office as well as the MSTA liaison to the budget staff working to communicate our concerns and the concerns of students and parents. While all those with a personal stake or a belief in the program are fighting this decision, I was reminded by a fellow colleague, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" Psalm 118:8. If you are concerned about this issue, I ask you to pray for our family and all the families that have been affected by this decision.

Jay Nixon: http://governor.mo.gov/contact/ or call: (573) 751-3222 and ask them to preserve the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program. Please also consider contacting your representatives. If you are unsure as to who your representatives are, please use the following link to look them up: http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx

Follow-up comment received 10/31: Hi, I don't know if it is o.k. if I post on your site but I was searching Jay Nixon and MoVIP and your site came up. My daughter is in MoVIP. We are very upset by the recent developments. I honestly don't know whether to start this year over with homeschool or let her finish the semester. 4 out of her 5 classes are 2 semester classes so this really pulls the rug out from underneath us! I called the MoVIP and Nixon offices and got absolutely nowhere.The local news ran a story on our situation but I think the general public doesn't care. I hope that all of the MoVIP families are speaking up, teachers and students.

Follow-up: Student IM conversation from 11/2:

Student: I'm gonna miss your class next semester

Kazmaier: Awe...we are doing all we can to see that we can find a way to make MoVIP continue next semester. It breaks my heart.

Student: The Govenenor probably has some legitimate reason why he is doing this. I just wish I could have finished the year up instead of it getting cut in half.

Kazmaier: Exactly. I think that is what has stunned us all.

Student: It's ok! I just wanted you to know I would miss your class. I have enjoyed learning about the Government since I have never really learned anything about it and I am a junior now.

Kazmaier: You're too sweet. I love teaching it.

Student: Thanks again! If I ever become a politicain you will know why! =]