MoVIP funding

Missouri's revenue for the current fiscal year is far below budget projections, and the forecast for the next fiscal year shows the gap widening to well in excess of $1 billion. As a result, state funding is being held or withdrawn for many programs. In the process, funding for the second semester of this school year for the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program has been eliminated. This leaves hundreds of students in the lurch.

MoVIP offers online courses that enhance the curriculum of many school districts. Some homeschooled students take all of their courses through the program. For high school students nearing graduation, the MoVIP cutbacks means they won't get their diplomas and will, in some cases, technically be considered dropouts.

The program began in the 2007-2008 school year with 2,000 students at a cost of $5.2 million. Funding rose to $5.8 million in 2008-2009 with 2,500 students. Funding this year was cut to $4.8 million and limited to 1,600 students. More than 2,000 students were turned away. Some students were added when parents or school districts paid tuition of $325 per course.

Eliminating MoVIP funding is like closing a school. Surely Gov. Jay Nixon can find a way to keep MoVIP going until the end of this school year.