One of the most promising developments in K-12 education is the development of virtual schools, which allow students to use the Internet to learn at their own pace, and take advanced classes they might not otherwise be able to take.

Unfortunately, virtual schools have a huge political liability--they are opposed by teacher unions. Wisconsin was one state that had a great deal of growth in virtual schools.

A compromise of sorts was reached in that state after the union there called in its chits with the governor. Virtual schools do get to continue, which is the good news. The bad news is that they're now more regulated than before (making them less attractive), and they are now subject to a cap.