Registration has begun for the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program , which will allow thousands of students to receive some or all of their education on-line, starting with the 2007-2008 school year. Curt Fuchs, Director of Virtual Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, says this will allow students living in some of the state’s smaller districts to enroll in courses and programs available in some of the state’s larger districts of the state. Those would include such courses as calculus or Latin.

$5.2-Million in state funding is expected to provide 4,000 full-time and part-time students free tuition for the first year. Openings will be filled on a regional basis with representation from all areas of the state. Once all 4,000 openings have been filled, additional slots will be available for those willing to pay the cost of the tuition.

Registration runs through May 29th.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)