10/14/2020
The fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer funds- money which should be serving our children, not enriching Epic's founders - continues at this 60,000+ student school in Oklahoma. (Yes, you read that correctly.) We who work in online education and stand for quality student outcomes should condemn this school and demand its closure.
State Auditor Concerned Epic Funding 'Not Getting to Students' - Oklahoma Watch
Report says Epic co-founder told auditors “What the Legislature will do if we make our employee count public record, they will bludgeon us about our fees.”
03/15/2020
Epic Charter Schools' management and Board of Directors should comply with this request immediately. If they have nothing to hide, why not be transparent?
Comments welcomed, including from Epic itself, of course.
State takes Epic's management firm to court for not providing records
Epic Charter Schools' for-profit management company has refused to provide its financial records to the state auditor's office, which has now asked a judge to intervene.
11/04/2019
Short video that Wharton staff put together to share with incoming students and their families during Family Day on Saturday, featuring a quick appearance by yours truly.
I would love to help you and your organization with your communication needs. I teach courses in Persuasive Communications and Crisis Communications to Wharton MBAs and undergraduates. Let Vality know how we can help you!
WH 201 Family Day Video
07/18/2019
Virtual school Boards of Directors, charter authorizers, and school leaders need to watch carefully to prevent recurrence of shocking fraud like this story describes (committed by A3 Education, whose Founder fled to Australia in May 2019 to avoid prosecution). Vality can help you! Please be in touch if you need our consulting, insights, and support.
Charter School Case Exposes Big Loopholes in How the State Funds Schools - Voice of San Diego
Here are three vulnerabilities the alleged A3 charter school scam revealed in how California tracks attendance and allocates funding that could be exploited by bad actors.
07/13/2019
The self-dealing, lies, and outright theft has GOT to stop among virtual schools, especially among vendors and Boards. An otherwise solid pedagogy that works for some children continues to be tainted by bad actors like A3 Education, ECOT, and greedy Education Management Organizations (EMOs) that put profits before children.
How an alleged charter school conspiracy netted $50 million
A 235-page indictment says 11 people diverted state tax dollars using charter schools and shell companies
01/25/2018
Important article from EdWeek yesterday, including the disturbing insight that large underperforming virtual charter schools are not being closed when they chronically fail to serve students at or above accountability standards.
Please read, and contact Vality to find out how we can help you improve your virtual school substantially. PM us if you need us to send you the full article.
Too Big to Fail? Why Large Cyber Charter Schools Rarely Get Shut Down
Closing a school that enrolls over 10,000 students from across the state presents officials with a unique set of problems.
01/24/2018
So proud of Lisa Warshaw, the Director of the Wharton Communication Program, for this interesting interview with PennCurrent. Lisa is the leader of the program in which I teach, and a friend and colleague of nearly 20 years. She has been blazing trails throughout her impressive career!
Staff Q&A with Lisa Warshaw | Penn Current
Staff Q&A with Lisa Warshaw Text by Greg Johnson The Wharton Communication Program director discusses teaching students how to be better oral and written communicators, and preparing them for the communication challenges they will face as managers. Photo by Peter Tobia Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once j...
01/11/2018
Important insights on why families choose virtual schools to meet their educational needs, from the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.
Bullying most common reason students choose virtual schools
JAN 10, 2018 - A new study shows that more than 40 percent of the state's virtual charter school students left their previous school because of bullying
01/08/2018
A fascinating (and short) history of the University of Pennsylvania, which yesterday celebrated the 267th anniversary of the first day of classes!
Overview of holdings, University Archives, University of Pennsylvania University Archives
Penn was founded on unique grounds in the history of education. In Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin sought not only to create a local institution of higher learning, but also to provide an education that did not fit the models already established in New England and Virginia. In Europe and the colonies...
11/08/2017
Great article about the performance of, and money behind, South Carolina's virtual charter schools. The schools themselves suffer from a lack of funds to invest in student outcomes, as their EMO partners take far too much in fees. Call Vality to help you to keep more of your pupil funding!
Inside the $1 Million Fight To Hold South Carolina’s For-Profit Virtual Charter Schools Accountable
When South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster stepped onto the stage at Charter Schools USA’s annual summit in August, it was to thunderous applause. Alternately smoothing his tie and shielding his eyes from the floodlights, he told a couple of folksy jokes before pivoting to the message he’d come to deli...
10/10/2017
Proud of my friends Florida Virtual School - FLVS and the State of Florida for making education available at no cost to 20,000 Puerto Rican students. Leadership, integrity, and compassion at its finest!
Florida Virtual School to welcome 20,000 Puerto Rican students, Gov Scott says
Florida Virtual School to offer classes to up to 20,000 Puerto Rican students
10/09/2017
Virtual school governing boards and leaders: improve student academic outcomes results by keeping MORE of your student funding to invest in them. Call Vality today!
DeVos champions online charter schools, but the results are poor
Pennsylvania's virtual charters have a 48 percent graduation rate.