But trio of charter school groups aim to take away virtual school options

WASHINGTON – PublicSchoolOptions.org released a powerful new web video, “Growth,” which tells the heart-warming story of the Thompson family, who adopted three young sisters from foster care who had suffered horrible abuse and neglect. The girls were struggling academically, socially, and emotionally, and the traditional brick and mortar public school – which Richard and Tammy Thompson loved – wasn’t meeting the girls’ needs. Thanks to a four-year pilot program in North Carolina that expanded virtual school options, the Thompsons have chosen the education that works best for the girls.

“GROWTH”

“We need that choice, because I have seen my children grow and progress and become the children I know they can become, because of this program.” –Tammy Thompson

Once unable to read, suffering frequent and serious meltdowns due to severe post-traumatic stress disorder, and lacking confidence and self-worth, the girls are now thriving. They are back on track – and even ahead – academically. With North Carolina Virtual Academy the girls no longer spend hours after school re-learning lessons and doing homework; instead, they can spend that time in activities like dance, voice and acting lessons, and karate, which are helping the girls grow into beautiful, strong and confident young women.This public virtual charter school was a blessing for the Thompsons and an option that needs to be available to every parent.However, this option that thousands of parents choose is under attack from groups like the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS), the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), and 50CAN. According to their newly released report, they are demanding new enrollment caps that would arbitrarily lock students out of their public virtual school and recommending increased centralized regulation of charter schools that will diminish parent choice.Further, the report says that no virtual charter school enrollment should exceed 999 students. When applied to North Carolina Virtual Academy, whose enrollment is 1,500, 501 students would be kicked out. And the Thompsons could be left to wonder which of their girls will be forced to find another option.PublicSchoolOptions.org is a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children. The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs. Additionally, we advocate for equal access without restrictions to these public schools for all children.###