Welcome To The New School Year!


Stay Connected

Happy fall! We hope the school year is off to a great start! We look forward to working with you in the coming year to support your school choice.
 
As we look ahead to the legislative session in February, we will communicate with you about policies and programs that impact virtual education in Oregon. We want to help our community of parents understand how decisions made in Salem may impact your family and your school choice. Advocating for your education choice makes a real difference to our leaders in Salem.
 
You can keep up with our advocacy efforts by following us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) and visiting our website.


The Results Are In!

Thank you to all the families who responded to our annual survey. Your responses help us inform state policymakers about Oregon’s virtual public schools and families who utilize them. The survey results offer important information about why families choose this public school option and how it’s working for them. Some key findings include:
 

  • 59% of families chose a virtual school due to the quality of the curriculum

  • 53% of students experienced bullying in their brick-and-mortar school

  • 31% of students were below grade level when they started a virtual school and now are at grade level or above

  • 45% of families chose a virtual school because it offers state-certified teachers who are trained to teach online


Thank you for all you do to support our schools!

Sincerely, 

Tricia F. Powell
President

The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.

Governor Signs HB3204


On July 27, Governor Tina Kotek signed HB3204 into law. As reported in our July newsletter, the bill makes administrative changes to the 3% enrollment cap on virtual schools. The changes are related to district enrollment count dates, appeal notifications, and capped districts. The bill doesn’t remove the 3% enrollment cap but ensures fairness and prevents discrimination for virtual school enrollment. The changes will take effect in the 2023/24 school year.


Final chance to complete family survey

Our family survey will be closing soon! Don’t miss this opportunity to share your virtual school experience. Your responses will help us educate state lawmakers about Oregon’s virtual public schools and the families who use them. With your help, we can continue to make a difference for Oregon’s virtual public school students.


Thank you for all you do to support our schools! Enjoy the rest of the summer! We’ll be in touch in September.

Sincerely, 

Tricia F. Powell
President

The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.

July 2023 Newsletter

Oregon Legislative Session

The 2023 Oregon legislative session adjourned on June 25. With the help of families like yours, the legislature approved HB3204. The bill makes technical changes to the 3% enrollment cap, such as ensuring fairness and preventing discrimination for virtual school enrollment. While the bill does not raise or remove the enrollment cap, it is an important first step to improve access for families seeking to enroll in a virtual public school. Thank you for your help in getting this bill across the finish line.


Family Survey

Don’t forget to complete our family survey. Your opinion is important to us! Let us know why a virtual public school is the right fit for your family. 

We gather this information to educate lawmakers about Oregon’s virtual public schools and the families who use them. With your input we can inform the conversation surrounding virtual public schools. Through education and coordinated advocacy, we can continue to make a difference for Oregon’s virtual school students.


Thank you for all you do to support our education choice.

Sincerely, 

Tricia F. Powell
President

The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.

Teacher Appreciation, Parent Survey, Graduation

Hello Virtual Public School Families,

Although we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week earlier this month, we want to continue honoring our amazing virtual school teachers! Appreciation should not be reserved for just one week every spring but demonstrated throughout the year. As parents of virtual public school students, we’re grateful for the hard work and commitment of our teachers. We applaud their passion for teaching and support of students across the state!

We’re featuring a few outstanding virtual school teachers in this newsletter and highlighting others on our social media channels. As we wrap up the school year, I invite you to join us in letting your child’s teacher know you appreciate them.

Teacher Spotlights


Survey

It’s not too late to complete our survey! With your input, we can inform the conversation surrounding virtual public schools and let our state education leaders know why you and so many other Oregon families have benefitted from a virtual public education.


Class of 2023 Spotlight

Congratulations Class of 2023! We want to honor and celebrate you! If you’re a parent, grandparent, or learning coach of a 2023 virtual school grad or if you’re a virtual school student graduating this year, please respond to our short questionnaire and attach a photo so we can celebrate you on our social media platforms. CLICK HERE to nominate a 2023 grad!


Thank you for all you do to support our education choice.

Sincerely, 

Tricia F. Powell
President

The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.

May 2023 Newsletter

Family Survey

Families chose a virtual public school option for a variety of reasons. Why is a virtual school the right fit for your family? We value your opinion and want to learn more about your family’s virtual public school story. 

With your input we can inform the conversation surrounding virtual public schools. We can let our state education leaders know how you and so many other Oregon families have benefited from a virtual public school.

We strive to ensure families have access to a quality education so we gather this information annually to inform and educate state lawmakers about Oregon’s virtual public schools and the families who utilize them.


Teacher Spotlight

May 8 – 12 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Do you have a favorite teacher? Has a teacher made a lasting impression on you? This Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to tell teachers how grateful we are for their hard work and dedication to their virtual public school students. Tell us your story about a favorite teacher and we may feature your response on our social media channels.


Thank you for all you do to support our education choice.

Sincerely, 

Tricia F. Powell
President

The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.