GFPVE Blog
Charter School Amendment Passes
03/19/2012
Online public school students and their parents won a huge victory with the passage of HR 1162. GFPVE wants to thank all of you that attended our Capitol Day and participated in the calls and emails to legislators. Your involvement truly makes a difference.
RSVP for GFPVE Capitol Day 2012
02/22/2012
Please join us in Atlanta for our Annual Capitol Day on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. This year's Capitol Day could be the most important time you ever spend preserving the future of your child's online public charter school. We have two critical legislative issues before the General Assembly, and we need your help! Capitol Day gives all virtual school parents and students the opportunity to visit the Capitol Building in Atlanta and to make sure your voice is heard when it comes to support for educational choice. Please RSVP to this free event today at http://www.gavirtualed.org/rsvp/!
HR 1162 Still Alive, We Need Your Help
02/10/2012
After failing to receive the 120 votes necessary for a two-thirds constitutional majority on Wednesday (110-63), the constitutional amendment to protect state charter schools was kept alive when the motion to reconsider passed (114-49). This means that HR 1162 can be called back to the House floor for debate in the coming weeks if we can help persuade 10 more legislators to vote in favor of the resolution. Please continue to contact your legislators in support of HR 1162 by visiting our Action Center.
URGENT MESSAGE: Ask Your House Member to Support HR 1162 Today
02/06/2012
The push for a constitutional amendment to protect charter schools cleared its first hurdle last Thursday, February 2. A floor vote in the House could come later this week. We cannot stress enough how important this amendment is for keeping online schools operating in Georgia. Please visit our Action Center to contact your State House member today!
Constitutional Amendment (HR 1162) Is The Best Way To Protect Online Schools
02/01/2012
Since the May 16, 2011 Georgia Supreme Court ruling against the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, a coalition of charter school supporters has been working to find a long term solution to protect the jeopardized schools. Charter school supporters have determined that an amendment to the Georgia Constitution is the best way to ensure these schools stay open for years to come.
Changing Public Perception of Online Public Education
09/25/2011
CNN aired a great story "Student finds success in cyber school" last week. It really captures the reasons Georgia parents are choosing online public schools for their children.
Governor Deal Supports State Constitutional Amendment to Protect Charter Schools
07/14/2011
After the Supreme Court ruling that jeopardized 16 charter schools, policymakers agree that the permanent remedy will be a constitutional amendment.
Public Virtual School Funding
07/01/2011
Now that Georgia's three virtual charter schools have been approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE), parents and administrators are looking to cross the next hurdle- adequate funding of the schools.
Charter School Fight Is Getting Testy
07/01/2011
The AJC's Jim Galloway shines light on the outrageous tactics some local school boards will use to keep taxpayers in the dark.
Charter school conference converges on Capitol today
06/23/2011
The National Charter Schools Conference concludes today with a rally at the Capitol where pro-charter school legislators will speak.
Georgia Cyber Academy Will Be Open In The Fall
06/09/2011
The Georgia Board of Education voted unanimously to renew the charters for Odyssey School and Georgia Cyber Academy and to merge the schools.
Stand Up and Fight for Your Charter School
06/08/2011
I want to thank each and every one of you who came out on such short notice to the Capitol. As you know, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that charter schools are not special schools and that the state does not have the authority to create them in the first place.
Finance Experts and Cyber School Leaders Agree, Adequate Funding is Mandatory
06/08/2011
On Tuesday, Georgia Families for Public Virtual Education brought together financial experts and cyber school leaders to discuss adequate funding at an online education summit in Atlanta.
Financial Experts Presntation on Virtual School Funding
06/08/2011
Click here to see the presentation on funding for public virtual education given at the recent Georgia Families for Public Virtual Education education summit.
Options unsure after court's charter school ruling
06/03/2011
ATLANTA (AP) ? After the Georgia Supreme Court struck down part of the state's charter school law, parents and lawmakers have been left with just a few tantalizing yet uncertain last-ditch options as they struggle to find a new way to keep a handful of schools open.
Blogging live from Senate committee: Any ideas on saving charters?
06/03/2011
I am sitting in a corner on the floor at the Senate hearing on the fate of 16 charter schools ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court because they were established by a state commission over the objections of local boards of education.
Supreme Court Ruling Puts Children's Futures At Risk
05/19/2011
ATLANTA - "Early this morning in a 4-3 vote, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that state authorized charter schools are not special schools and the state does not have the authority to create them in the first place. Georgia's online public schools, like Georgia Cyber Academy and Georgia Connections Academy were not a part of this case. Still, our team will examine to see if this judgment even applies to our online public charter schools and work closely with the Attorney General and our own counsel to ensure the education of our children is met to the highest standards.