Why It Matters
North Carolina is expanding its virtual charter school programs at a time when existing online education options have consistently underperformed, sparking debate over education policy and public funding allocation. State lawmakers are questioning whether the growth of virtual schools diverts resources from traditional public education while failing to deliver results for students. The Charter Schools Review Board’s recent approvals of additional virtual and remote academies have intensified scrutiny of how North Carolina manages its charter school expansion, with implications for how the state allocates millions in education funding.
What Happened
During a Thursday event hosted by Public Schools First NC, North Carolina Sen. Jay Chaudhuri called the state’s expansion of virtual charter schools “educational malpractice.” The Wake County Democrat criticized the continued operation of low-performing online programs, questioning how the state permits parents to enroll children in virtual charter schools that have consistently received D ratings on annual school performance evaluations.
“How on earth are you allowing parents to send their kids to virtual charter schools that have consistently received a D as far as annual school performance?” Chaudhuri said. “This would be like educational malpractice for them to continue to do this.”
The state’s Charter Schools Review Board approved two additional standalone virtual schools in recent weeks, following approval of four new remote academies the previous week. These approvals expand North Carolina’s online education offerings beyond the two virtual charter pilot programs that have operated entirely online for approximately a decade.
Rep. Rodney Pierce, a Halifax County Democrat, connected the virtual school expansion to what he characterized as a broader effort to weaken public education. “I just think this is part of a bigger overall agenda to weaken public education,” Pierce said.
Supporters of the expansion argue that virtual and remote academies serve students who struggle in traditional classroom settings or require alternative schedules. Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of the N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools, emphasized that online programs provide families educational flexibility. “Parents have the fundamental right to choose the educational path that best suits their children’s unique needs,” Dillingham stated, noting that remote learning can foster student independence and accommodate different learning styles.
By the Numbers
North Carolina currently operates 21 brick-and-mortar schools offering online instruction through remote academy programs. The state’s two original virtual charter pilot programs have operated for approximately 10 years. The N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools received a $52.9 million federal Charter Schools Program grant, with portions designated for developing remote academy guidance materials. The organization plans to use grant funding to create an instructional guide focused on online teaching methods, student engagement strategies, and support for diverse learning needs.
Zoom Out
North Carolina’s virtual school expansion reflects national trends in charter education and online learning options. Many states have expanded virtual and remote learning programs, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, though research on long-term student outcomes in virtual settings remains mixed.
Virtual charter schools operate differently from traditional brick-and-mortar charters and public schools. Remote academies, which differ from standalone virtual schools, maintain affiliation with physical school locations while offering online instruction components. This distinction affects how programs are regulated and how performance data is reported.
The performance concerns raised by North Carolina lawmakers reflect broader national debates about online charter school effectiveness. Multiple studies have found that students in virtual charter schools often experience lower academic achievement compared to traditional public school peers, though advocates contend that virtual options serve students with specific educational needs or circumstances that traditional schools cannot accommodate.
The Charter Schools Review Board’s approval process involves evaluating charter applications against state criteria, though the board’s decision-making process and performance standards for approving virtual programs have drawn scrutiny from education policy advocates.
What’s Next
The N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools plans to develop comprehensive guidance materials for remote academies using federal grant funding. This guide will address online instruction methods, student engagement practices, and support strategies for students with varying learning requirements.
The Charter Schools Review Board will continue evaluating applications for new virtual and remote academies, with ongoing oversight of existing programs. Lawmakers including Chaudhuri and Pierce are expected to continue raising questions about virtual school performance metrics and expansion policies during legislative sessions.
Additional scrutiny may emerge regarding the D-rated performance of existing virtual charter programs and whether performance standards should be strengthened before approving new online school applications. The debate over virtual charter expansion in North Carolina will likely intensify as education advocates, lawmakers, and charter school supporters continue presenting contrasting views on online education’s role in the state’s education system.