Clayton Farr and his little sister, Chloe, learn right from their living room. Their mom, Kim, home-schools them and, three years ago, got in on the ground floor of MoVIP.

The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program is designed primarily for families like the Farrs, as well as students who can't go to traditional school for whatever reason. Since then, instruction has moved between the Farrs’ downstairs classroom, and their upstairs computer.

"My children have taken every class they've offered,” said Kim Farr.

Through the program's state-funded seats, they've been able to take classes and interact with teachers online.

"We felt in some way that this was something we deserved because we were paying taxes,” said Farr.

After the holidays this year, however, they won't be able to take advantage of the deal any longer. This week, Farr received an e-mail message announcing Nixon's decision to eliminate funding for the program for the second semester.

"In the economy we're in, it didn't shock me,” she said.

She says it is disappointing, however, both to her and her young students.

The program will still exist, but at a cost.

"I'd love to stay with it but, depending on tuition, we'd have to decide whether it’s worth it,” said Farr.

The tuition rate for the program this semester is $325 per class. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says that rate could increase next semester as enrollment decreases.

The cuts are definite for the second semester this year; the state legislature will evaluate its funding future for the 2010-2011 school year.