The Texas Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options
In Texas, parents have access to a growing number of education options to meet their children's needs. Charter schools, online schools, open-enrollment policies and magnet schools all have proven successful options for parents who find that their neighborhood public school may not best serve their children's educational needs.
But there is much work to be done to ensure that every Texas student has access to these options.
For instance, the legislature must raise or remove the cap that limits the number of open-enrollment charter schools to only 215 schools. Also, very few students have access to a full time, online virtual school. Finally, when it comes to education funding all schools should be treated equitably. Currently, there exists a 22% funding gap between students enrolled in traditional public schools and those in public charter schools.
The Texas Chapter of the National Coalition of Public School Options is organizing parents to ensure their voices are heard as Texas policymakers consider how to ensure public education options are accessible to every Texas family. Join us today to help protect and expand the public school options that best suit your family's needs.
National Coalition for Public School Options Announces National and State American Pioneer of Teaching Awards Teachers Recognized for Outstanding Service and Leadership
WASHINGTON - The National Coalition for Public School Options (NCPSO), an alliance of parents working to protect parents' rights to access the best public school options for their children, today announced the winners of the National American Pioneer of Teaching Award. Bryan Lankford, a ninth grade teacher at Texas Virtual Academy in Mesquite, Texas and Diane Williams, a junior high teacher at Anser Charter School in Boise, Idaho are the national award winners, chosen out of hundreds of nominations. Layni Cade, a third through eighth grade teacher at Texas Virtual Academy is the Texas state award winner. This award recognizes top performing elementary and secondary teachers in public charter, magnet, virtual and online schools.
NCPSO President and parent of virtual academy students Lori Cooney said, "Teachers play a vital role, creating innovative and individualized techniques that enable all types of students to learn. For the second year, the Coalition is excited to acknowledge teachers who are deeply dedicated, go above and beyond, giving students every opportunity to excel outside the traditional classroom."
Taking pride in his pioneering school, Bryan Lankford asks, "Why do people demand a hundred different choices for something as trivial as coffee and then settle for the one school they are given for the most important thing in their life-their children?" Nominated by a parent and a student, Mr. Lankford goes above the boundaries of online learning by organizing field trips and sponsoring extra-curricular activities. "Mr. Lankford has inspired many students to work towards their greatest potential academically," his student explains.
Layni Cade adapts curriculum to match each student's abilities. "Being a teacher is not just a job. It is who I am. I love being a teacher and love my students. I know they will not all learn the same way, so I want to get to know each of them to meet their individual needs," said Mrs. Cade. Along with studying for her master's degree and numerous group memberships, Mrs. Cade mentors students to take responsibility for their education as well as how to ask for help when they need it. The parent who nominated her said, "She looks out for them to make sure they are on the right track and knows when to talk to them when they are getting behind or seem confused."
