Melissa Brown, Principal of Indiana Connections Academy-Virtual Pilot School, believes that virtual charter schools have changed education in Indiana for the better. She notes that virtual charter school programs provide parents and students with an alternative means to public education ? a necessity for the thousands of students for whom traditional brick and mortar schools aren't a viable option. The virtual programs allow students to continue their public education through online learning.

"A quality virtual charter school is more than delivering online courses to students. It is a complete public school, with a highly qualified, licensed teaching staff; a comprehensive curriculum (much of it offline and in print) aligned to state standards; student clubs, activities, and field trips; services for students with special learning needs; and complete accountability for student attendance and achievement, including performance on state tests. Indeed, we have to meet -- and in some cases exceed -- the same accountability requirements as traditional public schools."