July 2013

WELCOME!
With report cards arriving at homes across the country this month, PublicSchoolOptions.org is taking a moment to ask itself: How did we do this year? From the looks of our 2012-2013 scrapbook fresh off the presses, our parent advocates and state coalitions have a lot to be proud of. Board President Beth Purcell highlights some of our accomplishments in her Getting Smart guest post to unveil this year's scrapbook. Be sure to take a look at what happened in your state and in other states across the country. You may just see your face among the 2,500++ at our events captured in photos! And stay tuned . . . PublicSchoolOptions.org will be gathering in Washington, DC July 14 16 for our 6th annual Parent Advocacy Bootcamp (formerly known as our annual Family Reunion). Parent Leaders for across the country will come together to exchange advocacy success stories and share tactics. On July 16th, we'll hold a day on Capitol Hill when we will meet with Congressional representatives (we'll be sure to thank those who voted for legislation we supported), and participate in an eLearning lab to help others better understand virtual learning.

Table of Contents
Welcome! Meet Sandy, Board Director! Coalition Shout-Out Cheers for Champions

In The Spotlight
Partners and Allies Activity

Meet Sandy, Board Director!

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will hold its annual conference with special guest Mr. Armando "Pitbull", a singer, actor and entrepreneur who

Coalition Shout-Out
PublicSchoolOptions.org activates to pass Congressional Legislation Nevada's NVVA graduation ceremony earned local press A Tennessee Virtual Academy student was hailed as "virtual champion" Louisiana celebrated its inaugural Capitol Day Arkansas parents explored advocacy options

announced he will be opening a charter school in Miami, FL this fall. The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy's vice president issued a thought-provoking article on the state of cyber learning in Virginia. American Federation for Children joined us in lamenting New Jersey Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf's decision to deny virtual charter schools authorization for the state's students. Center for Education Reform published a white paper on misguided trends in the movement to revamp state charter school laws.

On Our Reading List Congressional E-Learning Caucus Chair weighs in on charter school waiting lists
PublicSchoolOptions.org Board Member Alisa Hug and Arkansas Chapter Coalition Chair LaTonya Smith attended a recruitment event for Arkansas parents and students.

One North Carolina school district opted for technology over textbooks A Missouri reformer made the case for school choice

Cheers for Champions

Policymakers who publicly voice their support for public school options amplify our message of parent and student choice in education. This month we thank leaders in Pennsylvania and Virginia in particular, and we put New Jersey Education Commissioner Cerf on notice for his denial of additional school options for families. Upcoming Events American Legislative Exchange Council's 40th Annual Meeting, August 7-9 in Chicago, IL International Association of K-12 Online Learning's Blended and Online Learning Symposium,

October 27-30 in Orlando, FL For more information about these and any other upcoming events possibly coming to a city near you, please email us. 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 by emailing us!

The Louisiana Chapter held its first-ever Capitol Day.

PublicSchoolOptions.org PO Box 3230 Arlington, VA 22203

Opt Out