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Blunt Announces $1 Million Increase for Missouri Virtual Schools

Blunt will recommend an additional $1 million for Missouri's virtual school in next year's budget, bringing total funding to $6.2 million.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt on Friday announced that one of his budget priorities for the coming year will be providing Missouri students with greater education choice and flexibility by recommending a $1 million increase for the Missouri Virtual Instructional Program.

"Working with Missouri's General Assembly, we have increased funding for elementary and secondary education by half a billion dollars," said Blunt. "Just as importantly, we have placed additional emphasis on math and science, vital subject areas for our 21st century economy. The one million dollar increase I am recommending for Missouri's virtual schools will help to ensure that all Missouri students have the educational options they need to reach their full potential."

Blunt will recommend an additional $1 million for Missouri's virtual school in next year's budget, bringing total funding to $6.2 million.

The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) was created last year when Gov. Blunt signed Senate Bill 912. This year the program is available from kindergarten through fifth, and ninth through 12th grades. The program serves students with a variety of needs, and is available everywhere throughout the state. The virtual school provides services without charge to the student or their families. Currently, 1,600 Missouri students are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by this program. MoVIP classes serve a wide range of needs including:

  • Students who want access to Advanced Placement and other upper-level courses that are not available in their schools
  • Schools that want to offer an upper-level class but cannot afford to hire their own teachers to serve a few students
  • Students who are home-bound because of injuries or medical conditions
  • Students who are lagging in credits or need remedial help
  • Home-schooled students
This year Blunt secured $2.9 million to introduce technology in 100 new classrooms in 100 schools. The governor's eMINTS/METS Classrooms Grant Program creates a visible set of classrooms that effectively integrate high-quality math and science curriculum and teaching strategies powered by technology. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) contributed an additional $250,000 for professional development, bringing the department's total professional development budget for this program to more than $1.2 million.