Education options

The Idaho Statesman's front-page story on public virtual schools ("Students download an education," Jan. 15) demonstrated why this public education option is working for many Idaho children.

At the Idaho Virtual Academy, we are very proud of the excellent education we are providing for our students, including those whose special needs prevent them from attending a traditional school. Our school also serves a number of children in remote areas of the state where school access is limited.

By using computers, an Internet-based learning program and powerful technology tools, IDVA transports school to the students, delivering a high-quality public education. Students are assigned to highly qualified Idaho teachers, receiving a comprehensive learning program in six subjects: math, science, language arts/English, history, art, and music.

We commend the Idaho Legislature for creating choice in schools, and for overwhelmingly supporting legislation ensuring that kids enrolled in public virtual schools receive fair and equitable funding. Their embrace of innovation, and their belief that every child is unique and deserves to have education options, have helped many kids and have improved public education in Idaho.

Don Lynn, Idaho Virtual Academy, chairman of the Board of Directors

Good for IDVA

My letter is in response to the questions that some of you may have about the online programs that Idaho offers. The one I am more familiar with is IDVA. I cannot say enough good about it. It has been an awesome experience for our son and us. I am thrilled at what is offered, how it is handled, and the personal level of interest that is given by Marshal's teacher. She is great. We love the fact that he is accountable for his work and the quality of his work. The IDVA has a higher standard of acceptance of work he is able to submit and pass with. Good for you, IDVA. Keep up the super work.

Nylene Rowley, Salmon

Keep this charter

I am writing to you concerning Idaho charter schools. These schools are a gold mine. They give parents a choice, especially when the parent can't afford private school. They gave me and my son an option. My son has excelled in IDVA. It gives me the flexibility to adjust to my son's learning needs. Please don't take this away from my son.

Kory League, Jerome

Picture shows bias

A picture is worth a thousand words. Boy, did you people drop the ball in your choice of pictures to attach to your Jan. 15 article on Idaho's virtual schools. Had you tried, I doubt you could have found a less typical picture of the actual environment that Idaho's virtual students learn in.

My son is a kindergarten student in the Idaho Virtual Academy. I notice that you didn't have a picture of him reading one of the plethora of wonderful books that the school has lent to us, or engaged in a treasure hunt for objects that rhyme with "cat." When he is in front of the computer, we are both there, going through lessons in a very interactive fashion. Plus, we are regularly provided with opportunities for social engagements with other children in the program.

Regardless of what your article said, you sent a clear message of your true opinion of Idaho's virtual schools through that awful, atypical picture of a student sitting next to a TV showing people kissing on a soap opera. Shame on you. You have done our program a serious disservice by passing on this kind of inaccurate image.

Vonia Jackson, Buhl

Digital school board

I would like to clarify a statement published in the Statesman on Jan. 15 regarding virtual schools in Idaho. The article, "Idaho students download the future: Virtual schools gain popularity across state," erroneously reported that the Idaho Digital Learning Academy does not operate with a governing board. In fact, as per Idaho State Code IC33-55, the IDLA Board of Directors consists of three school-district superintendents elected by the Idaho School Superintendents Association, two principals appointed by the Idaho Association of Secondary School Principals, two citizens-at-large appointed by the members of the academy board, and two ex-officio members who include the state superintendent of instruction.

Shon Hocker, IDLA Board Chair

Glad for this choice

I am so pleased to live in a state that has such educational diversity. The choice of charter schools, public schools or home schooling allows parents to choose the form of education that best fits their lifestyles, their educational goals and their religious beliefs without sacrificing the education of their children.

Our daughter attends the Idaho Virtual Academy, and we are pleased with her education. She does not bathe in the blue light of the computer monitor because most of her actual schoolwork is done offline. Her online school provides lesson plans, tracking of progress and attendance, but only a small portion of her daily work is done online.

After living in three other states in the past nine years and seeing what they had to offer for educational resources, Idaho Virtual Academy fits our wants and needs the best. We enjoy the self-paced curriculum, the opportunity to be fully involved and responsible for our daughter's education, working with certified teachers and being allowed the choice to do so.

Angela Pearl, Nampa

Why Clark is right

I recently read the article entitled "Idaho students download the future" by Anna Webb. I felt the article was written very well but wanted to comment on Superintendent Linda Clark's remark that she "doesn't think virtual schools can replace the social aspects of regular classroom experience."

I think that when many people envision the students of virtual schools, they think of children locked in a darkened room, with the lights of the computer burning their eyes, wearing their pajamas and never allowed to speak or interact with anyone their own age.

I have had my son enrolled in a virtual school for two years where he is not only receiving an excellent education but growing in confidence for he is in a learning environment that fosters respect, kindness and personal responsibility. He confidently approaches his peers and adults. When we send our children to the traditional public schools they are consistently bombarded with negative garbage that runs rampant in what is supposed to be an educational environment. We force children to endure harassment that most adults would never find legal or acceptable in a professional work setting. Superintendent Clark's right: Virtual schools don't replace the regular classrooms' social experience.

Rebecca Bohman,

Idaho Falls