by Steven IsaacsAs I think about my own educational journey through the brick-and-mortar public school system, I am so glad that my son Skylar has more opportunities than I did. Growing up, I would have been a more focused and motivated student if I had been able to work at my own pace.Thankfully, this isn’t something that my wife and I have to worry about for him. As soon as we noticed our neighborhood school was not challenging our son, we shopped for alternatives. The best option for our family was a public virtual school called Oregon Virtual Academy.ORVA has been a true blessing for my son and our family. When Skylar finishes a lesson, he is able to move on to the next one immediately. If Skylar has more questions about a particular section, he can pause until he comprehends correctly. As his learning coach, I am able to be a part of his educational journey. And who knows his emotional, mental, and intellectual strengths and weaknesses better than I do?No one.

It was an honor to join other virtual public school families to thank state legislators at Capitol Day last Thursday. It was encouraging to be with 400+ parents, students, and advocates on the steps in Salem. And it is a blessing that our state representatives and senators say #ITrustParents with school choice.We’re lucky in Oregon. We have choices. As lawmakers across the country conclude their legislative sessions for the year, I hope they see the opportunities that choice has afforded families in our little neck of the woods and trust parents to make educational choices for children by expanding options in their states.