1. I think the responsibility for paying for a virtual high school should follow this pattern: If the student is of traditional high school age, it could be a part of the school district's responsibility, just like any other school in the district, ie paid for with tax dollars, much like a charter school or alternative school. It could also be funded outside the district via the voucher program already in place. If the student is a non-traditional and wishes to have more than a GED, then tuition could be assessed on an income adjusted basis or incentives given, such as scholarships or employer funding (tuition reimbursement through an employer) as options. As it is, virtual classrooms are in their infancy. In the future, it could be possible to replace brick and mortar high schools, in rural areas for example, to offer a rich high school and AP experience to those in outlying districts. This could also be a preferred method for districts to cut costs while maintaining, or even enriching, the quality of public education provided.
2. I think any responsible school district needs to integrate the idea of virtual learning into the fold, and offered as an integral part of the education experience. As we move forever forward into a technologically advanced future, where literally anything is becoming possible, school districts need to acknowledge the need for technology integration in classrooms and offer distance learning as an option, especially as a viable alternative to possibly losing a student from the district to homeschooling. It can also be an excellent alternative to alternative high schools.
3. If such programs are integrated into a state's education portfolio, parents should certainly be notified of the option and also be well informed of a 'hybrid' classroom of traditional face to face as well as distance learning. Parents are vital to the strength of such a program, and need to be kept up to speed in order for them to provide support to their child in such a program.
4. A degree in teaching online courses is not necessary, however, certification would be an absolute must. For such a program to be successful, it is absolutely vital that the instructor is well versed in the technology and programs to be used, in a very deep way. In the future, though, it could be a degree option, or at least have a teacher education program in universities which have a focus on distance learning and/or virtual classrooms.
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