Recent developments in state courts and legislatures across the nation have produced mixed results for virtual education. Proponents of virtual schools—in which students receive instruction entirely online—contend the programs open new doors for students, but skeptics say they siphon tax dollars away from public schools and into the hands of for-profit companies.

At least 14 states have a state-sanctioned, state-level virtual school either planned or in place, according to "Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues," a 2001 report commissioned by the Distance Learning Resource Network. The states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.

In states that haven't developed a statewide online learning program, however, the debate over virtual schooling continues.

In Texas, legislators last month struck down a House bill (H.B. 1554) that would have approved the implementation of virtual charter schools in that state. Under the bill, every student enrolled in a charter cyber school would have been entitled to an internet-connected computer and a printer, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The narrow 75-66 defeat came as a surprise to bill sponsor and House Public Education Committee Chair Rep. Kent Grusendorf, R-Arlington, who had expected widespread support of the legislation.

"It was a surprise that [the legislation] failed, mostly because problems with it were never expressed," said Grusendorf aide Byron Schlomach.

Schlomach said the bill was proposed as a means to open up the educational system and increase the options available to parents, many of whom had expressed concerns that their children were stymied by traditional classroom settings.

Schlomach attributed the bill's failure to its "broad scope," but at least one detractor said he was more concerned with the possibility that for-profit companies would be allowed to siphon money out of the state's already anemic education budget.

"The reality is we ought not to be in the business of supporting for-profit education," said Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs. "Any program that takes money out of our public schools would be against our better judgment."

Still, House legislators will get another crack at cyber education soon. The state Senate has approved a companion bill that calls for a pilot program with enrollment limited to 2,000 students. The bill would require two universities to establish the program and assume general oversight, but the legislation would allow the universities to hire private companies to provide day-to-day management.

Georgia lawmakers also are wrestling with the issue of cyber education. There, the state Senate last month voted 45-2 to establish virtual charter schools. However, the legislation was tabled in a House committee and has yet to reach the floor, where a favorable vote could send it to the governor for final approval.