Making a Difference

By Briana LeClaire

President, NCPSO

As a board member and parent, the American Pioneer of Teaching competition has been exciting and encouraging to watch. The many parents and students revealing the alternative and innovative ways their teachers have impacted their learning experiences speaks volumes. The 900 teachers nominated, the four finalists from Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oklahoma, and the winner, Ohio Virtual Academy's Paul Wulff, demonstrate the value different learning options bring to students' lives.

Congratulations to all! Be sure to check back with NCPSO frequently to hear about other experiences and ways you can get involved.

In the News...

As expansion looms, Gov. Rick Snyder gives cyber school technology a whirl

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.

Greenfield School Committee votes to support continued operation of Massachusetts Virtual 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.

PublicSchoolOptions.org Blog

Size Speaks Volumes at Pennsylvania Capitol Day

Nearly 2,000 students and families rallied in Harrisburg Tuesday at Pennsylvania's Capitol Day. Those present represented 157 charter schools and 15 cyber charter schools. The size of the crowd gave force to its message: Don't slash funding for our alternative public schools.

Virginia Cyber Students Get "Raw Deal"

A Virginia parent spoke out today about the impact of Carroll County's recent decision to shut down Virginia Virtual Academy (VAVA). In response to a one-sided op-ed published by The Roanoke Times, one New Castle, VA mom explained "The real raw deal here is the more than 400 children (including my son) who just found out they have no school to attend next year."

Pennsylvania Makes Headlines

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted virtual school's role as a valuable public school option in Karen Rile's "Virtual Shout-out for Cyber Schools." Rile, who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, debunks a few virtual school myths and describes the success her two daughters found with cyber learning.