Insights new Look

note: this is a contradiction of what I said in February 2011. At that time, I had been assured that Insight Corporation although had been sold/bought, and the CEO had left, no major changes would occur. I'm questioning the validity of that statement.

I am disturbed by a trend in virtual schooling. When I began this journey a decade ago, there were many players in the field. Keystone, Aventa, Apex, K12, FLVS, were the heavy hitters, but there were half a dozen other companies that were providing educational materials and courseware for schools. Each of these companies sold their product (the course material, online access) to a school (iQ, Insight, WIVA, Connections, etc) where the student could access the material. Many of these course providers also allowed parents to purchase individual courses. It was through this flexibility that my son took Auto Mechanics, and Aviation (I & II) through Grantsburg Virtual School. Today, that would not be possible. K12 has bought out what seems to be everyone. And, just like I don't like the fact that Wisconsin public schools are a monopoly, I don't like the fact that Virtual Schools are soon to be in exactly the same boat.

Insight Schools (corporation) is the most recent acquisition by K12. The CEO and founder of Insight, Keith Oelrich, is no longer associated with Insight. Virtual schooling has lost another leader, another innovator.

K12 is a wonderful curriculum. When it comes to teaching K-8, I don't believe there is a better choice available in this country. The K12 method is concept based. Children are taught ideas and then the details are applied. It's often referred to as a mastery approach, but that's merely the grading method. The teaching method is concept focus. It is unarguably fabulous. It was developed under the leadership of Bror Saxberg. Bror left K12 in 2009. I assume (although have not confirmed) that there were philosophical differences that caused Bror to leave. It was shortly after his departure that K12 turned from being a fabulous curriculum provider to being a pariah of independent virtual schools.

Insight schools of Wisconsin this week sent out a letter from Karl Peterson. In this letter, Karl mentions the new course catalog. While I had been assured in February that there would be no changes to the individual offerings at a local school, apparently, that is not the case. Insight will be offering the K12 high school courses. This isn't a bad thing. I like the K12 product. But, K12 doesn't offer British Literature. K12 doesn't offer Mythology. K12 doesn't offer C++. These are courses that have been dropped from the Insight catalog.

I am deeply concerned over this news. I do not believe that a monopoly is beneficial to the students of virtual schools. I do not know what is ahead for us, but to me, it appears there are storm clouds on the horizon.