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Jennifer Wilkinson is frantically trying to save Insight School of Oklahoma, the state’s only online alternative school.

Wilkinson found out last week the state Education Department is pursuing new rules that would require alternative education to be delivered in-person. That would upend Insight’s model, which is entirely virtual.

The proposed rules would require any alternative education program to be in-person, with both students and teachers physically on site.

“It would eliminate our students’ equitability in education and being able to serve them in this model,” said Wilkinson, who has led Insight since 2019.

In a statement accompanying the proposal, the Education Department said the changes would improve the quality of alternative education, align with best practices and comply with changes in law from 2019.

Alternative education serves students who are at-risk of dropping out. Often, they are facing challenges such as mental health issues, substance abuse, pregnancy or parenting. Schools receive additional funding for alternative education.

Insight has about 1,100 students in 6th through 12th grades.

One aspect that sets Insight apart is its scheduling, which gives high school students the ability complete 4 to 6 classes per trimester block, allowing them to catch up on credits.

Insight’s 4-year graduation rate is one of the lowest in the state, at 46% in 2022, according to its state School Report Card. Wilkinson said the rate has improved, and last year they had 220 graduates.

A public hearing on the proposed changes is planned for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the state Education Department. Comments can also be submitted to the department by mail or email (details are on the Department’s website.)

— Jennifer Palmer

Recommended Reading

• Four new Oklahoma City charter schools have applied for authorization. [Oklahoma Voice]
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• In a new kind of cyberattack, attackers gain access with weak students passwords, then contact parents (and the media) directly. The tactics have cybersecurity experts worried. [The 74]

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