By: Charis Smith My mom is a very passionate person. She has spent the past several years advocating on my behalf so that I can go to a school that works for me. Lately, she has been telling me about some virtual schools around the country that have been threatened with closure based on testing averages.…
Last week, a bill that could have taken away a critical educational option for thousands of California children – AB 1084 – died before it even made it for a vote. This bill was a direct assault on parents’ rights to choose the best school for their children. About 20,000 students benefit each day from…
Imagine that your community put a limit on the number of sports teams and activity clubs available to your children. There would be only one theater troupe, one gymnastics team, two basketball clubs, and two soccer squads. If you missed out on one of these select few spots, your child would no longer have the…
By: Christin Kaiser A little over one year ago, my daughter Mary-Grace came to me saying that she “needed more” out of her educational experience. Knowing that she already spent time in private and public schools of all varieties, I listened to my daughter, who, by the way, is only in 7th grade, when she…
If it all goes one California state legislator’s way, 20,000 virtual school students could lose their education starting in the 2017-2018 academic year. Assembly Bill 1084 would allow California lawmakers to close down several virtual schools in the state. This bill would leave families with few options, some being forced to return to schools that…
By: Colleen Cook After a full day of training, parents who attended our Parent Advocacy Boot Camp were able to put their skills to work. Collectively, parents attended over 100 meetings with legislators or their staff on Tuesday, July 12th. That’s over 100 people who were told the good news of school choice! That’s over…
By: Samoy Mainda When I was first invited to attend PublicSchoolOptions.org Parent Advocacy Boot Camp, I didn’t know quite what to expect. What is advocacy? What does PSO do? Is this a CrossFit style Boot Camp?! Instead, what I was met with was a wonderful group of concerned parents, just like me. We all know…
By: Tillie Elvrum Summertime is filled with some of my favorite activities: road trips with my family, outdoor concerts, and home improvement projects. An even bigger reason to celebrate this time of year? It’s the 25th of anniversary of charter schools! June 4th marked 25 years of providing parents and families with options. Typically,…
By: Tillie Elvrum As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to an end, I can’t help but think how much more recognition these superheroes deserve. Seven days (TBH, five work days) is all they get?! That seems like simply not enough. Whether they teach homeroom, core subjects, or electives, our teachers work countless hours preparing for class,…
