The state Legislature appears to be moving forward on bills and proposals to address issues with online schooling outlined in a 2010 state Department of Education report.

Among other things, the report noted that online students had below-average test scores and high dropout rates, and that too often online schools were getting state funding for pupils who returned to their district's brick-and-mortar schools, which then had to absorb the cost.

A proposal from Republican Sen. Keith King would address the issue of paying online schools for pupils who leave those schools after the Oct. 1 "count" day used to determine state funding for schools. Another proposal would pay online schools for completed courses rather than for courses in which students are enrolled.

Other proposals would increase oversight of online schools' finances and staffing and have the education department study accountability measures and whether they are an accurate measurement of online students' performance.

The new proposals come on the heels of action by the state Board of Education in January, which approved establishment of new quality standards for online schools. The board also mandated that the state take a more thorough look at new applications for online schools.

There's nothing inherently wrong with online schooling, and it likely will increase. But online schools that receive state funding, particularly those provided by private, for-profit companies, should be held to the same standards and have the same oversight as the rest of the system.

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State online school oversight is needed