Great letter to the editor.
What we’re really fighting is a one-size-fits-all, government, union-controlled education.
Ask the question: who benefits from less choice? Certainly not the students and parents.
The Idaho Coalition of Charter School Families firmly believes that two basic principles make charter schools a quality option for many families: choice and opportunity.
Parental choice has been a long-standing value for the Idaho Charter School community and the members of our Coalition.Recent negative comments about virtual charter schools show some education stakeholders apparently don’t understand school choice, and finding the right fit for the student is one of the most important decisions someone can make in improving educational success for that individual.
School accountability should incorporate the population and demographics of the school. Students who are succeeding and showing growth should be acknowledged. Virtual schools provide a flexible educational model that serves students who are not succeeding, for whatever reason, in a traditional setting. This includes credit recovery, at-risk populations, mobile students and students with health or social issues, to name a few.The recent article that was released by BLUUM seems to promote the idea of “elitist charter schools” that mostly serve a selective and high performing student demographic. This flies in the face of the original intent of the charter school system in Idaho, which is to provide choice – for the student and parents – for the educational model that fits their needs.
The reasons that students and parents choose a virtual charter school are many and varied. Virtual schools provide opportunity for students and families with special needs, students who have suffered from bullying or simply the opportunity for a student to learn at their own pace. Charter schools also provide additional opportunities for gifted students. Most importantly, virtual schools fill a unique niche for students to acquire the education that meets their individual needs.
Tom LeClaire
Boise