November 2013

What's New with PublicSchoolOptions.org

This month we encounter new challenges and welcome new leadership. We are excited to have three new PublicSchoolOptions.org Board members: Wyomings Amy Threewitt, Oklahomas Lauren Marshall and Colorados Tillie Elvrum. With these new additions, we look forward to broader insight, more leadership and expanded advocacy for our students from coast to coast. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with their faces and bios here and stay tuned for more in depth profiles of each of these parent leaders in future newsletters. Expanded leadership comes at just the right time. A legislative battle is heating up in Pennsylvania, where lawmakers could cut funding for virtual students in a few weeks without reason and without the proper research. We have been busy all week meeting with families across Pennsylvania who want to reach out to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and let them know how crucial virtual public school options are to the families of Pennsylvania. VISIT thePennsylvania Families for Public Cyber Schools action page today to learn more about what you can do.

Table of Contents
What's New with PublicSchoolOptions.org Profile Coalition Shout-Out Cheers for Champions

In The Spotlight
Partners and Allies

Profile
Slashed funding could soon be the unwelcome reality for thousands

Commonwealth Foundationshines the light on cyber school centers in Pennsylvania and urges

of virtual charter school students in Pennsylvania if legislators dont pause to get the facts.

parents to take action against unfair cuts. Gov. Bush addressesattendees at the National Summit on Education Reform Digital Learning Now! releases a new ebookabout online learning iNACOL hosts its 2013 Blended and Online Learning Symposium On Our Reading List

The Coalition met with concerned Pennsylvania cyber families earlier this week.

A local news station explores Michigan online learningthrough the eyes of one family

Coalition Shout-Out
North Carolina Talk Radio gets an earful about the virtual learning obstacles holding virtual learning in the state back Wyoming coalition schools state legislators on cyber education An Oregon Virtual Academy student speaks out on the virtues of virtual learning Moreno Valley, CA gets hybrid online learning opportunities

Online learning helps one an Ohio student in the face of bullying Idaho Virtual Academys head of school sets the record straight Rapper Pitbull opens a sportsthemed charter schoolin Florida Louisiana charter school becomes the second to win blue ribbon for excellence Nashvilles Choice Festivalshowcases school optionsfor parents PLUS: Lets eliminatebullying and boundari es but not funding for virtual charters. See this months standout blogs.

Cheers for Champions

Pennsylvania legislators havent done their homework. And one education group says we are suffering a Dearth of Statehouse Mavericks. But we see their potential to it right in their states and there is still time. We prefer to think of these lawmakers as champions in training.

Upcoming Events

American Legislative Exchange Councils States & Nation Policy Summit 2013 December 4-6 in Washington, DC Check your state coalition page for upcoming events in your area.
The Wyoming Chapter hosted a demo and lesson on virtual public schools for legislators on October 11th.

We'd Love to Hear from You!

We are always looking for content for our monthly newsletter and blog! Please share your stories or topic ideas byemailing us!

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