I recently responded to a misinformed New York Times (NYT) column that questioned the value online public schools. Unfortunately, NYT shut down the comment section and did not give parents the opportunity to share their stories and tell readers why they chose online public schools for their children. Many parents took to the K12 Facebook page to make their voices heard.
Here are some of their reactions:
“…I disagree with her. my son does [the] k12 program and has more time to learn and not worry about bullying or peer pressure.”
“…she obviously did not speak [to] anyone with personal firsthand experience with k12 or witness what this program has to offer, perpetuating the myth about virtual academies instead of portraying them in a realistic light.”
“I love living in a free country where I can choose how my child is educated. …I also got a laugh out of how we’ve all been labeled as poverty stricken and therefore assumedly ignorant. We are middle class & we’ve worked hard to get here.”
“As someone who was fortunate enough to get four of my six children enrolled in K12, I’ll all for it, too. My children are learning MORE than they learned in a brick and mortar school…My boys are actually excited to [go to] school, as opposed to a brick and mortar where they hated having to get up, ride an hour to attend a school 5 miles away twice a day, while enduring hurtful comments of school age children. K12 has been a long-awaited blessing in more ways than one.”
“I’d like this author to spend a day with a student of a virtual academy.”
“People don’t get it…As a parent I want more for my child than any teacher could ever want for them…Also, the online system provides trained teachers to help with issues. A huge community for support. The online school also provides accountability, structure and motivation to keep going even when it gets hard. AND if my child doesn’t get it we can stay on that area until she does… In a brick and mortar school if you’re lost and the rest of the class isn’t too bad you’re moving on.”
“My children are not socially oppressed they have a VERY active social life as well as many field trips that [a traditional] school would never take them on [because] of GAS prices...”
“My daughter has been in K12 for 3 yrs. She is excelling above and beyond her “peers” in the B&M schools. The education and materials provided also exceed what she could be provided in a B&M school and I can guarantee she gets more one on one and individualized education. Wow. Too bad the comments were closed after hundreds of people who read her article at face value had a chance to comment leaving those with firsthand knowledge out of the thread.”
“It’s sad that people who obviously have no experience with online education think they can comment on it. My son started with K12 last year an entire year behind in Math and Reading. He had been in public school up to that point. This year he started the year on target at grade level. I am thankful for K12. Without it, he would still be behind, maybe even farther that what he was.”
“Ms. Collins, put away your obviously biased attitude and sit with K12 families. My family would be more than happy to share OUR thoughts.”
“I was very disappointed I was unable to comment on the article to share that my “socially challenged by k12” student was recognized by our May and the City Council as Citizen of the Month for her volunteerism and work in the community. She is at 8 the youngest person to ever receive the key to the city.”
“We have been at K12 for 10 year[s] and it has been the best experience ever. After 10 years I can see the benefits of a confident, well adjusted teenager that has developed her talent and abilities better than she would have in a public school…I know that this was the best choice for our family and I can’t wait to see what my children become because of this life changing opportunity.”
“This was a poorly argued argument. This program gives parents and their children choice regardless of social/economical class. Therefore, regardless of where you are living, you are not confined to the schools zoned for your area.”