Nancy's storyMy son did TNVA for his 7th and 8th grade years, then TOPS for 9th grade. He is now a 10th grader with a 3.8 GPA and a 28 ACT score. Online school has been a great fit for him.Lynn's storyMy family is a huge supporter of TNVA. We have been involved in online schooling for the past seven years and both my children continue to thrive academically at TNVA. The flexibility and dedication from the teachers for their students has been a Godsend to so many families, including my own. Our children deserve choices and options for their education. It is inconceivable to me that legislators would even consider shutting it down when it has made such a positive impact for so many children.Debra's storyStudents should have the opportunity to get a education in many ways. My daughter was severely bullied and if it wasn't for online schools I'm not sure what we would have done.Amanda's storyThrough TNVA, my child has learned more than she did in brick and mortar. The teachers learn how each of the children learn and use that to help the kids meet their goals. My child hardly passed kindergarten and is now at a 3rd grade level in math. Keep TNVA open! Do NOT make our kids suffer because of someone else's opinion. Our children deserve a chance that they wouldn't have in brick and mortar. My child has over 10 brain tumors and a two disorders she will have the rest of her life. She will struggle with many health challenges in her lifetime. If she has a chance not to struggle in school then I say she deserves to have a chance at exceeding! Don't make our children suffer. They are our future!Tracey's storyTNVA is vital to the future of public education. They have shown tremendous progress and they should be helped, not hindered, in achieving their goals. Picking and choosing statistics like lower average TCAP scores is disingenuous (especially when TNVA students' TCAP scores are IMPROVING from where they started in other public education programs). Picking and choosing random statistics to close the school is much like cherry picking a random Bible verse to prove a point. The state needs to provide resources to TNVA and focus the energies necessary to bring the school to the next level. As a taxpayer of the great State of Tennessee, I do not wish to see my tax dollars spent trying to close a school that is the next level in education. While we need many choices for public education, including brick and mortar schools, virtual schools are the way of the future and Tennessee is lacking other public options for elementary and middle school in the virtual area. It's a matter of when, not if, most school districts will provide a virtual option. Take the time to help TNVA now and you will save tax dollars we will ultimately spend trying to "recreate the wheel" in setting up virtual schools in the primary grades. Remember, virtual schools, in addition to being the best option for many students, require much less funding than a traditional school. I don't want to see good money chase bad money by closing TNVA because other school options feel threatened that virtual education is much cheaper, and allows more flexibility for the students. If TNVA and other virtual options are supported, nurtured and allowed to reach their full potential, the costs savings could allow for richer educational experiences for ALL public students by using the savings to the state and districts to allow for art, music and other programs we can no longer offer due to funds.Kelly's storyThis has been the best learning opportunity for our son. He does more and participates more with the one on one guidance. His needs are met quickly, and he enjoys participating in class despite his serious shyness. We love TNVA. Also, it costs us significantly less than brick and mortar public school. Hands down this is the best for us.Ginger's storyMy son was going to have to be on medication to attend a traditional public school. He was having severe behavior issues. As a virtual school student, we don't need the medication. We are able to take breaks as needed and he can move from lesson to lesson. Although he will be returning to public school this fall, it is because of the K12 online option that this is possible. Sometimes children need that one-on-one attention that can not be met in a traditional classroom. I think parents should be able to have this school as a choice in their educational goals.Susan's storyTNVA is the best school ever!! They have the best program and continue to improve. This is my grandchild's first year with TNVA. I am very impressed with the teachers and the curriculum. Our children are more then a number, they are individuals who learn in many different ways. Our children are more then just a number; if that's all they are to you, you are the ones FAILING them, not TNVA. With TNVA, we as parents get to be totally involved with our children's education. Isn't that what you want? I can only speak from my personal experience, but I can tell you my grandchild went from hating and failing school (kindergarten), to loving school (1st grade), with grades of 99 and 100. Something I'm sure she would not accomplice in a brick and mortar school. I don't have to worry about schools getting closed for sickness, snow days, and most of all I don't have to worry about her safety at school. I don't feel it's right to want to close TNVA based on scores. They are fairly new. Many of the children in TNVA are maybe first or second year students, which means their low scores are most likely due to prior learning at brick and mortar schools. Give TNVA a chance to teach the children and bring the scores up by truly teaching. Brick and mortar schools do nothing but take two months to teach the children what's on the TCAP test so the numbers look good. My questions are....Has anyone really taken a look at TNVA's curriculum? Has anyone really gone through the program year by year to see what the children are learning? My final question is ... Do you or anyone in the DOE know anything at all about our children, or our families, to make a decision about what's best for them? You need to trust parents and grandparents. We know what's best! There's the reason we chose TNVA! We care about our children! We CARE about their education! We want TNVA to STAY!Vickie's storyTNVA has been a great school for me and my children. It is unfair that Tennessee has such a hard time embracing change, especially when it comes to enhancing our education system. I believe every child has the right to an education and I believe every parent should have the right to choose the education method they believe is right for their child. Education is not just in a building; it starts at home. We as parents are the first to teach our children. I love teaching my children and seeing their growth and potential. Closing TNVA is just another way of closing the mind of our children to see other ways of learning. To know that this opportunity was given and taken away without a chance to thrive is painful for me. I know that TNVA is a great school. As with any school, you have to apply yourself. My children have and so I have put in a lot of time to get the most out of this program. PLEASE SAVE OUR SCHOOL!!!!Alisa's storyThis is an option for my children that serves their best interest.Melinda's storyThis school option is important and gives children who are unable to go to brick and mortar schools a chance to learn, excel, and make positive academic gains. This option gives our children a safe learning environment.Trina's storyTNVA is a good school with great teachers. Both of my boys have excelled academically here, and my oldest has since gone on to excel at a Virtual High School because of his experience at TNVA. To close the school based on TCAP test scores is short-sighted at best. This is a mastery-based program and standardized testing like TCAP is based on the 20th century model of education. Until we have assessments that can accurately measure learning for children in competency based programs, it's ridiculous to penalize TNVA due to our state's outdated mode of assessment. Let's move into the 21st century.Sheronda's storyI'm a disabled mom who needs TNVA to stay open because it has improved my daughter’s life and mine. Before, I couldn't get my child back and forth to school and the schools didn't try to help.Cindy's storyParents should have other options to choose which education path fits their child. Virtual school was a wonderful fit for both of our children. We were aware of what was expected and what work was and wasn't completed. Teachers were very professional and knowledgeable. My oldest son was lost in the traditional school setting.Kristi's storyMy son needs this school due to his health. He has grown so much academically with TNVA. I don't know what we would have done for him had we not been able to use TNVA.Elezabeth's storyTNVA has been invaluable to me and my youngest son. If we had not had the option, we would have either had to move or put him through a seriously unsafe learning environment.