HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 12, 2009--
K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is announcing that the Circuit Court of Cook County
in Illinois issued summary judgment in favor of the Chicago Virtual
Charter School (CVCS), dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Chicago
Teachers Union that claimed the charter authorized by Chicago Public
Schools and Illinois Board of Education was illegal.
The judgment ensures the continued lawful operation and funding of CVCS.
The Court concluded that the Plaintiffs arguments fail as a matter of
law. The Court determined that CVCS is not a “home-based” school and
therefore not in violation of charter school law, and that the school is
in full compliance with the Illinois School Code.
In the ruling, the Court emphasized the differences between the model of
instruction employed by CVCS and traditional home schooling, stating:
“Home schooling is a well-known and established means of education.
While the form of home schools may vary, the underlying substance of
the education is decided by a student’s parents. Home schools do
not have to teach according to ISBE’s [Illinois State Board of
Education’s] mandated curriculum, nor are the students required to take
standardized tests to meet the State’s requirements for basic skills
improvement. CVCS, however, is required to teach according to the
ISBE curriculum. CVCS students must meet the State’s requirements
of the No Child Left Act. CVCS is subject to fiscal oversight by
the ISBE and CBOE [Chicago Board of Education]. And, unlike
home-schooled students, CVCS students are graded by certified teachers.”
CVCS began operations in 2006. It currently serves more than 500
students in grades K-11. The school uses the curriculum, materials and
school services provided by K12 Inc., the nation’s largest provider of
proprietary curriculum and K-12 online school programs.
“K12 is pleased that the Court ruled in favor of this
successful public school,” said Ron Packard, Founder and CEO of K12 Inc.
“This is a great relief to the many students, parents, teachers and
administrators that believe so strongly in their school. They are all
very excited about the school’s continued success in the future.”
About K12 Inc.
K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN), a technology-based education company, is the
nation’s leading provider of proprietary curriculum and online education
programs to students in kindergarten through high school. K12
provides its curriculum and academic services to online schools,
traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to
families. K12 has delivered over one million semester courses
to students worldwide. Currently, more than 50,000 students in 21 states
are enrolled in online public schools that use the K12
program. K12 Inc.also operates the K12 International
Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving
students in over 35 countries.
K12 Inc. is accredited through the Commission on International and
Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). It is the largest national K-12
online school provider to be recognized by CITA.
K12’s mission is to provide any child the curriculum and
tools to maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial,
or demographic circumstances. More information can be found at www.K12.com.
Source: K12 Inc.
K12 Inc.
Jeff Kwitowski
Vice President, Public Relations
703-483-7281
jkwitowski@k12.com