K12 Inc. Announces Court Ruling in Favor of the Chicago Virtual Charter School

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is announcing that the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois issued summary judgment in favor of the Chicago Virtual Charter School (CVCS), dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Chicago Teachers Union that claimed the charter authorized by Chicago Public Schools and Illinois Board of Education was illegal.

“K12 is pleased that the Court ruled in favor of this successful public school”

The judgment ensures the continued lawful operation and funding of CVCS.

The Court concluded that the Plaintiffs arguments fail as a matter of law. The Court determined that CVCS is not a “home-based” school and therefore not in violation of charter school law, and that the school is in full compliance with the Illinois School Code.

In the ruling, the Court emphasized the differences between the model of instruction employed by CVCS and traditional home schooling, stating:

“Home schooling is a well-known and established means of education. While the form of home schools may vary, the underlying substance of the education is decided by a student’s parents. Home schools do not have to teach according to ISBE’s [Illinois State Board of Education’s] mandated curriculum, nor are the students required to take standardized tests to meet the State’s requirements for basic skills improvement. CVCS, however, is required to teach according to the ISBE curriculum. CVCS students must meet the State’s requirements of the No Child Left Act. CVCS is subject to fiscal oversight by the ISBE and CBOE [Chicago Board of Education]. And, unlike home-schooled students, CVCS students are graded by certified teachers.”

CVCS began operations in 2006. It currently serves more than 500 students in grades K-11. The school uses the curriculum, materials and school services provided by K12 Inc., the nation’s largest provider of proprietary curriculum and K-12 online school programs.

“K¹² is pleased that the Court ruled in favor of this successful public school,” said Ron Packard, Founder and CEO of K12 Inc. “This is a great relief to the many students, parents, teachers and administrators that believe so strongly in their school. They are all very excited about the school’s continued success in the future.”

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nation’s leading provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs to students in kindergarten through high school. K¹² provides its curriculum and academic services to online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. K¹² has delivered over one million semester courses to students worldwide. Currently, more than 50,000 students in 21 states are enrolled in online public schools that use the K¹² program. K12 Inc. also operates the K¹² International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving students in over 35 countries.

K12 Inc. is accredited through the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). It is the largest national K-12 online school provider to be recognized by CITA.

K¹²’s mission is to provide any child the curriculum and tools to maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances. More information can be found at www.K12.com.