A school at the center of a dispute over online learning reported higher-than-expected scores on state achievement tests for third-graders.

Based on its own assessments, Hope Online Learning Academy predicted 47 percent of its third-graders would score at the unsatisfactory, or failing, level on the reading test administered under the Colorado Student Assessment Program in March.

Instead, only 19 percent failed, said Hope executive director Heather O'Mara.

Forty-one percent scored at proficient, or passing, on the test, O'Mara said. The school's test predicted only 28 percent would pass.

The balance of the students fell into an in-between category called "partially proficient" or turned in tests that were not scored.

The numbers cover 79 third-graders, for whom the state education department has released CSAP scores. Scores for other grades will be released in August.

Littleton-based Hope is chartered by the tiny Vilas school district in southeastern Colorado, although most of the school's 38 learning centers are located along the Front Range.

Some legislators have questioned whether Vilas, which enrolls 100 students, is providing adequate supervision for the 1,600 Hope students. Charter schools are usually under the jurisdiction of the district in which facilities are located.

Because Vilas is considered a poor district, its schools are funded mostly by the state - an arrangement that extends to Hope.

Enrollment growth in online programs in the past year spurred a $13 million boost in state aid, mostly for Vilas and Hope.

The state auditor has launched an investigation of online charter schools at the urging of lawmakers. A report is scheduled for September.

Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, chairwoman of the Senate education committee, said the testing results O'Mara cites "will be an important factor in looking at that school."

But that leaves the funding and jurisdictional issues, Windels said.

Hope has the support of several groups that are key parts of the Democratic Party coalition.

La Rasa, headed by former Sen. Polly Baca, and the Urban League plan to increase the number of learning centers they operate or fund as Hope subcontractors.

La Rasa will increase its centers from five to eight. The Urban League will operate eight centers in the fall.

O'Mara said the test scores show the state is getting value for its money.

"I'm confident with these results, today, we can demonstrate we're doing what we're supposed to do as a public school," O'Mara said.