FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky chapter of PublicSchoolOptions.org released the following statement regarding charter school legislation final passage. STATEMENT FROM PEDER BERG, PUBLICSCHOOLOPTIONS.ORG BOARD MEMBER AND PARENT ADVOCATE:“We welcome any progress that brings school choice to Kentucky families. But while this bill’s passage is a step in the right direction, it is inadequate. The bill includes an overly cautious charter school approval process, unclear funding mechanisms, and, most damningly, a prohibition on virtual schools, despite the immense good they can do for students in rural communities or those needing a specialized education program.“I have spent the last two weeks here in Kentucky, sharing how virtual education changed my family’s life. My son is on the autism spectrum and struggled to function in traditional brick and mortar schools. We finally had to take him out of his school after he suffered a severe emotional breakdown. With virtual education, he’s received a world-class education and, as importantly, was able to learn techniques to cope with his autism. This year I couldn’t be more proud to watch him graduate high school from Wisconsin Virtual Academy and prepare to attend a brick and mortar college. This opportunity was given to me in my home state of Wisconsin, but has been kept from Kentucky parents needing a similar choice. “The fight for real reform has just begun. We grade this bill incomplete and urge the legislature to revisit this legislation next session and provide every Kentucky family with a full menu of school choice options so parents can determine what works best for their child.”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.###