Oklahoma Watch (https://oklahomawatch.org/series/virtual-schools/)
Two former teachers have filed lawsuits against Epic Charter Schools, alleging they were fired for pushing back against pressure to manipulate the enrollment of their students.
A state investigation into Epic Charter Schools has expanded to include the school’s chief financial officer and four current or former board members, according to a search warrant filed in Oklahoma County Wednesday.
Who’s responsible for oversight of Epic Charter Schools? In light of accusations revealed by Oklahoma Watch and others detailed in a state investigator’s report, have overseers done enough to put a check on the state’s largest virtual school? State officials have asked for an investigative audit, but where it will lead is unclear.
A state investigator’s search warrant filed in court seeks evidence of alleged embezzlement of state funds and obtaining money under false pretenses at Epic Charter Schools, including through the use of “ghost students” who receive little or no instruction at the school.
Administrators at Epic Charter Schools have been allowing, encouraging or pressuring teachers to manipulate students’ enrollment for years in order to improve employees’ bonus pay, according to at least seven former teachers.
When a rural, southeastern Oklahoma school district was struggling and on the verge of closing, Epic Charter Schools stepped in. The deal, which expanded its “blended learning” presence beyond the two metro areas, allowed Epic to have the trappings of traditional public schools and receive a cut of the funds, as well as gain a toehold in rural Oklahoma.
The founders of Epic Virtual Charter School donated at least $145,000 total to dozens of candidates in this year’s elections. The donations outpaced those from the Oklahoma Education Association PAC and have come amid continuing dramatic growth in enrollment at the online school.
The state agency that oversees virtual schools has proposed a new grading system to improve oversight of the schools, which have experienced persistent low academic performance coupled with climbing enrollment.
Teachers at Epic Charter Schools can earn up to their base pay in bonuses, making them some of the highest-paid teachers in the state. But students at the virtual school often underperform their public-school peers.
Virtual charter schools would be required to track and report student attendance —something the schools aren’t currently tasked with doing — under a law proposed by an Oklahoma senator. The bill was prompted by an Oklahoma Watch story.