Florida’s Online Prison Schooling: A Failed Experiment That Extends Juvenile Detention

Florida’s decision to replace in-person education with online learning for juveniles in detention centers stands as a stark example of well-intentioned policy gone wrong. While the state sought to modernize education through its partnership with Florida Virtual School, promising uniform standards and smoother transitions after release, the reality has been that students are falling behind academically—and spending more time behind bars. Is Online Education Doing More Harm Than Good for Incarcerated Teens? The Associated Press investigation reveals troubling patterns: incarcerated students struggle to access and understand their coursework delivered entirely online without adequate teacher support. Traditional classrooms, staffed by qualified...