As president of the National Coalition for Public School Options, I get to meet families all over America who are engaging in school choice. Recently I attended the third annual Day at the Capitol of the Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance, one of our state grassroots advocacy organizations. Families came from across Oregon to rally for their online schools and share their experiences with lawmakers.

It was a great day to come together to celebrate online learning, but digital learning advocates in Oregon have their work cut out for them. Rule changes being considered by the Oregon Board of Education will, if enacted, allow both the Oregon Virtual Academy (ORVA) and Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) to serve students up to grade 12 for the first time. ORVA's cap will increase, but only from 600 to 1100 which simply isn't enough. ORCA's cap of roughly 2600 will remain essentially unchanged.

Children in full-time online schools are getting ready for the real world where there will be more digital teaching and learning and online interaction, not less. The State of Oregon should encourage high-quality online teaching and learning, not just expand it piecemeal.

Many thanks to the families who came to Salem from across the state, at their own expense, to testify on behalf of their own children and others who languish on waiting lists. Make sure Oregon's leaders continue to hear from you! Keep up your great work, and keep pressing public officials to create digital learning opportunities for all of Oregon's children.