Connections Academy Pricing Plan

"a representative of Connections explained that its services were available at three price points per student:
Option A: $7,500, a student-teacher ratio of 35-40 to 1, and an average teacher salary of $45,000.
Option B: $6,500, a student-teacher ratio of 50 to 1, with less experienced teachers paid $40,000.
Option C: $4,800 and a student-teacher ratio of 60 to 1, as well as a narrower curriculum.
Despite lower operating costs, the online companies collect nearly as much taxpayer money in some states as brick-and-mortar charter schools. In Pennsylvania, about 30,000 students are enrolled in online schools at an average cost of about $10,000 per student. The state auditor general, Jack Wagner, said that is double or more what it costs the companies to educate those children online. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/education/online-schools-score-better-on-wall-street-than-in-classrooms.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Based on the current report card, it looks like Ohio is paying for Option A but getting Option C and the commensurate results from Connections Academy Ohio.

Ohio Connections Academy, Inc 3740 Euclid Ave Ste 101 Cleveland, OH 44115-2229
Principal:				Sara Deaterla
Phone:				(216) 361-9460
Enrollment:				3,123
Achievement Standards met (62.5%) D Performance index (92.0) C Districts are measured against students' passing rate on 24 state tests given in several subjects and at several different grade levels. To meet the state standards, 75 percent of students must pass each exam. The number of standards met is used to calculate a letter grade. A second letter grade is tied to the district's "performance index" which gives credit for how well all students score on tests, giving more weight to students who perform above passing.
Progress (Value-added) All students F Gifted students NR Lowest 20% in achievement D Students with disabilities F In recent years, districts have been judged by "value-added" scores, or how much progress students made in a year's time. Now, districts will receive four progress-related letter grades: one for students overall and one each for gifted students, students who are considered low-performing because they score among the bottom 20 percent of their peers and students with disabilities.
Gap closing Gap closing (annual measurable objectives) F For the first time, the state is scrutinizing how well districts are serving all students, regardless of income, race, ethnicity or whether they're native English speakers. Only math, reading and graduation rates are considered in measuring how well districts serve students. Only districts that serve all 10 possible demographic groups adequately can earn an A grade. On the report card, the state calls this "annual measurable objectives."
Graduation 4-year graduation rate F 5-year graduation rate F

And she told me it was not a scam.....