The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
This column is the second in a series. Read the first here.
The power of parental advocacy in education is a transformative force that has reshaped the educational landscape for the betterment of children. I respect teachers immensely. It is a truly noble profession. Similarly, there are school administrators who are justly motivated and help provide high-quality educational opportunities here. But parents, as the primary lifelong role models, educators and advocates for their children, are paramount.
We wield significant influence when we engage actively within schools and beyond. This involvement transcends mere participation in parent-teacher conferences; it’s about being a vocal partner in educational decisions, the overall learning environment, and yes, policy making.
While the news media and social media platforms have only recently discovered a growing awareness and vocal action among parents across the country, it’s old news here in Wisconsin. For example, our Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families has been helping parents like me speak up for twenty years!
That’s right. Two decades.
We trust Wisconsin parents. Our members are not just spectators, but rather we are key players in demanding accountability, pushing for curriculum excellence, and advocating for environments where every child can thrive.
The impact of this advocacy is profound.
We haven’t just showed up. We have just spoken up. We’ve made a difference. We changed state law and state regulations to help shape this Wisconsin educational system into one that values choice and options.
As the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families prepares to enter our third decade of advocacy, we are not resting on our laurels. We are going to leverage our shared experiences to improve Wisconsin’s educational landscape. Specifically, we have our eyes set on improving Wisconsin’s Open Enrollment law, and we’re looking for champions in the State Capitol who are willing to say “I Trust Parents!”
Wisconsin’s Open Enrollment law is good. But it could and should be better. In theory and in practice, it is the most successful and robust ‘School Choice’ program in the nation.
Under current Wisconsin law, you can, at any time, apply for enrollment in another school in another school district, if that school has room and is still accepting new enrollees. This includes transfers into any of Wisconsin’s virtual charter schools for the 2024-2025 school year. That’s right. It’s not too late in the year to make a move if there are slots available and you feel it’s the right move for your child.
However, currently your geographically-assigned ‘home’ school district could deny the transfer by saying it’s in your student’s best interest to stay put. That’s awfully insulting. As our Coalition is working to change this disgusting veto provision, please know that current law mandates that you still have the power to appeal any denial.
The state Department of Public Instruction can step in if a school district infringes on your rights. However, if for some reason DPI also subsequently also denies your child’s transfer into a public school that is willing to enroll them, we’ve been known to step in and step up. We have and will expose bureaucrats who have the audacity to say they know more than you do about what’s best for YOUR child!
So there are ways around a denial, but we’re nevertheless going to work hard during the next legislative session to completely eliminate the bureaucrats’ veto from our state statutes.
I’m proud to help lead this Coalition which has fought, and won, legal, policy and PR battles for decades. In fact, online charters only exist today because of a bipartisan legislative compromise the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families helped forge and promote more than a decade ago. While many bureaucrats and powerful special interests wanted to prohibit independent online charters from operating here, the WCVSF spoke up, turned out and helped change state law.
It was the most significant legislative victory of our long history, but not the only one. And there will be more to come. Because the needs and concerns of parents are constant and cannot ever be swept aside.
We are teachers, alumni, students and parents of kids who attend online charter schools in Wisconsin. We are always looking for lawmakers of every political stripe who value our input and share our concerns.
The election is in 7 weeks.
We don’t have a PAC. But we have votes.
There is still time to earn them.
– Ty Babinski lives in West Salem and is president of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families, a Wisconsin based, all-volunteer organization of parents, not affiliated with any particular school or national organization. The WCVSF has been independently advocating for online learners in Wisconsin for twenty years.
