Don-t Cut Our Public School Funding

By Ann Robinett In our 21st century economy, work is done around the clock. The numbers of knowledge workers who telecommute are growing daily. Time and distance are less relevant today than ever before. What's most important is progress. The same can be applied to public education. Since 1999, Arizona has embraced public virtual schools. These public schools are open 24/7, teaching Arizona kids anytime, anywhere, any place, and continue to prove a lifesaver for many children. But now, Arizona House and Senate leaders are considering a proposal to arbitrarily cut funding for my childrens public virtual school. The proposed cuts are deep and put a significant risk to the quality programs I and other Arizona parents have come to rely on for their children. To premise that my childrens education is somehow worth less than other students in public schools is offensive and, I believe, illegal. Arizona has been down this road already and should realize by now that the state cannot discriminate against different types of public schools. My childrens education deserves to be funded at the same level as any other child in an Arizona public school; period. Many children who attend public virtual schools are those who struggled in a traditional public school environment, such as those with special needs, high school dropout recovery, kids who were bullied, and children suffering from physical and medical challenges. Virtual public schools employ highly qualified teachers, equip each home with textbooks and materials, provide technology needed to participate in the programs, and provide for the administration of state exams throughout Arizona. My child is provided with exceptional educational resources, teacher support, and a comprehensive curriculum that surpasses state standards in every subject. I have chosen this program for its quality and I resent the notion that legislators, who seem to have no concept of what these schools are doing or how they work, now feel they can single out my childrens public school for funding cuts. Arizona citizens have said that the Legislature cannot discriminate this way. More importantly, its not right. Providing public educational choices for students with unique needs and interests is admirable, and Arizona has been a clear leader in this regard. Arizona is in a tough spot financially and clearly there are hard choices to be made. If there are cuts to be made - and surely there will be some- we should all bear that responsibility equally. To single out children of a particular public school is short-sighted and counterproductive to solving Arizonas long term needs. I ask that legislative leadership and Governor Napolitano promise not to cut my childs public school funding. Ann Robinett is president of Arizona Parents for Education www.azparents.org