Gov. Rick Snyder got some hands-on experience with the type of cyber charter school program that will be expanding next fall under a new Michigan law. The self-described nerd's tech skills came in handy as he read a book to a class of children who watched and listened online through the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy.

The School Committee voted 5 to 2 to direct School Superintendent Susan Hollins to prepare a request for proposals to submit to the state by April 22 for the continued operation of Massachusetts Virtual Academy.

The state Department of Education has threatened to recommend that the school be closed if it does not address special-education concerns. But a recent meeting between GCA officials, parents and state board members convinced board members and department staff that the school is taking those concerns seriously.

You may have heard that everything is bigger in Texas. Most of the time, we take pride in that. However, the disturbingly large number of students in Texas on charter school wait lists is a source of disappointment, concern. These wait lists and other obstacles to alternative learning options are a cause for action.

Parents and students across the country need to know what is at stake in Georgia this Election Day. As a parent, a leadership member of a national organization representing thousands of families who support access to public school options, and a proud Georgia resident, the outcome of the vote on charter school Amendment One is what keeps me up at night.

Everything is bigger in Texas -- except parents' ability to choose the educational option that works best for their child. While various public charter schools, including online schools, serve thousands of Texas students, more should be done to ensure that all families have the ability to enroll their children in the school that best fits their needs.

More than 650,000 students attend public schools in Oklahoma. Many of them board a yellow school bus to get to class. This isn't the case for every student. More than 2,000 students who attend the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy will get the same quality education as neighborhood school students, but in a format that better fits their learning styles and needs.

It's that time of year again, when parents around the country prepare to send their kids back to school. However, this year is a little different for some students. Starting this month, a small number of students between sixth and 11th grades will be bringing the school into their home with the New Mexico Virtual Academy. While this is a fantastic start to an important new school, limiting this great educational opportunity to just a small group of 500 lucky students is unfair to the other students in the state who could also benefit from this alternative public charter school option.

Like many families across Massachusetts, ours is taking the important step of beginning another school year. Although we live in Worcester, my child will be attending an excellent public school in Greenfield. Or more precisely, the school in Greenfield will be coming to my child.

While online schools may not be the silver bullet to address the needs of every student unhappy in a brick-and-mortar school, they are a necessary option for thousands of kids.