RALEIGH — Late last year, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan urged state lawmakers to find ways to improve educational productivity despite economic conditions that will continue to limit funding available to public schools. One key strategy Duncan outlined involved making better use of online learning and “virtual schools,” which allow qualified instructors to deliver lectures, content and assessments using Web-based communication tools.

North Carolinians are fortunate to have one of the nation’s largest and most successful virtual schools.

The N.C. Virtual Public School is a model of excellence, but it has not always been that way. Shortly after its 2007 launch, the school was in trouble. The director resigned in June, and the interim director soon reported problems with “stabilizing the infrastructure” and concerns about teacher quality.

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CHAPEL HILL – The basic model of high school sports in North Carolina and the nation is changing, and the N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors talked Wednesday during its annual winter meeting about how to meet future challenges.

The board heard reports from the Department of Public Instruction and the N.C. School Boards Association about changes on the horizon with the probability of more charter schools and virtual schools.

The board heard details about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system charging athletes a fee to participate.

The NCHSAA board, which is made up of superintendents, principals and athletic coaches and officials, got details about budget cuts to public education and possible reduction in teachers and administrators.

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