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| School may be out for the summer, but our families are busy |
August 1, 2008
Thanks to everyone who's submitted letters to the editor and otherwise taken steps to debunk the myths about our public virtual schools. Here are two more letters that appeared in the Twin Falls newspaper. Keep writing those letters and keep sharing your great stories with your local legislators. Also, forward this note to your contacts so they, too, can have their voices heard.
And, as summer winds down and you prepare for the next school year, be sure to encourage your families and friends to sign up for our coalition. It's free and all we ask is that you continue to be great advocates for your public charter schools, including public virtual schools.
Letter to Editor: Virtual charter schools work for many students
July 28, 2008
As parents of children enrolled in Idaho Virtual Academy, we would like to speak to the value of this educational model.
Unlike the misconceptions that the misinformed like to promote, our children are taught by highly skilled, certified teachers and caring parents. They do not spend endless hours in front of a computer screen; they read from some of the best books written and study in an amazing variety of learning settings. They are not social misfits; they interact easily with peers and adults alike in many situations. They participate in all state-mandated tests and comply with rigorous attendance and progress standards.
Despite the efforts of quality teachers, our neighborhood school was not able to meet our children’s needs. Charter schools fill this void. For every student enrolled in a charter school, virtual or otherwise, there is a distinctive reason why that child is there. Different children require different school models.
As to how the state funds are spent, any public school will find it necessary to spend money with the private sector. Public education does not run without private enterprise. The great thing about the virtual schools is that they are able to provide a quality education at a lower price to the state. Perhaps you should look into why it costs the taxpayers an additional 35 percent to educate a child in the traditional school model over a virtual school student.
I think that possibly it is time for the public to hear both sides of this issue. Try for less bias in your future reporting on this subject.
DEEANN JENKS
Twin Falls
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/07/28/opinion/letters/doc488d5c0a8bc3f763112604.txt
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Twin Falls Times News
Competition would be healthy for public schools
August 1, 2008
The Times-News apparently holds a fairly socialistic view of education - what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The editorial board's opinion about the virtual charter schools has several flaws.
1. The assumption seems to be that the traditional public school should meet all children's needs; this is not true. The many options available today give children a variety of opportunities to receive a good education, one which meets their learning style and their needs.
2. Another assumption is that it is bad to send our money outside of the state. Again, this is an interesting assumption as it implies that state schools do not do that. All schools send some money out of state. (a) Textbook publishers are not usually based in one's home state, (b) school's contracts with large corporations for food, tissue, toilet paper, vending machine drinks, etc., do not go to local companies but to large corporations within the market economy, (c) teachers and administrators are often hired from out of state.
The ISAT test is run by a firm called Data Recognition Corporation which is out of Minnesota (Incidentally, this newspaper who asserts we should be keeping our money in our own state, is owned by Lee Enterprises Inc., a firm based in Iowa that owns newspapers such as ours throughout the country).
Parents have the right to educate their children in the way they feel best. If a parent chooses a virtual charter school, they obviously feel their child will get the best education through that option.
If we want people to choose their local public school over something else, then the opportunity is there for the school districts to rise to the challenge and offer an education and a situation that is competitive with their competition. In a market economy in a capitalist society, it stands to reason that parents should have the opportunity to choose the education best suited for their children. They should not be compelled to send their children to the nearest local public school. In a market economy, we claim that we prize competition because that is how we get the best quality offering. Should not this be true in education as well?
CHENELE DIXON
Twin Falls
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/08/01/opinion/letters/141496_22.txt
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| Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families PO Box 6236 | Boise, ID 83707-6236 | 877-792-5900 |
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