State panel OKs online school at six sites in El Paso County

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 11, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Hope Online will be allowed to operate six learning centers in El Paso County, despite objections from local school districts.

The Colorado Board of Education made the decision Thursday on a split vote, with four Republicans prevailing over two Democrats.

The vote overturned decisions by the Colorado Springs and Harrison school districts not to allow the learning centers.

Colorado Springs school officials told the state board that Hope students score poorly on statewide achievement tests and the school has a poor financial history.

A Hope attorney countered that the school is addressing its problems, some of which occurred two years ago.

Hope operates under a charter issued by the Douglas County Board of Education, but it runs "learning centers" in 13 districts. Its curriculum is delivered over the Internet.

Hope specializes in serving students who were failing in traditional schools. The 67 learning centers currently serve about 3,300 students, mostly in the Denver area.

Some educators see Hope as a new way to help troubled students.

But others say it infringes on the right of local school boards to decide which charter schools may operate in their jurisdictions.

Under legislation passed last year, Hope must obtain permission from the local school district to operate a learning center.

Eleven school districts, encompassing most of the learning centers, granted permission.

Colorado Springs and Harrison, each with three centers, refused. Both are in El Paso County.

The board action means all 67 learning centers will operate next year.

But the split vote revealed a fundamental disagreement on how much authority local boards have to regulate Hope. That issue could emerge again when the current memorandums expire in three years.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303 954-5209

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