GFPVE Blog
Teacher of the Year Nominations
04/04/2013
PublicSchoolOptions.org is again holding its annual American Pioneer of Teaching Award to recognize top performing K-12 teachers who work in nontraditional public schools, such as virtual, charter and magnet schools. Last year, GCA's Debra Jones made it to the national finals. Let's make sure a Georgia teacher wins this year!
Over 700 Attend 2013 GFPVE Capitol Day!
02/28/2013
Capitol Day 2013 was a huge success! For the second straight year we had over 700 students and parents. We hope to see you all again next year, and bring a friend. Highlights of the event included: Scavenger Hunt and prizes, free t-shirts, free Chick-fil-A lunches, and great guest speakers.
Great School Choice Rally
01/31/2013
Today was an incredible day at the Georgia State Capitol. Hundreds of students and parents braved the cold to celebrate National School Choice Week. Rarely do we see such a large and excited crowd on the Capitol steps speaking so positively about an issue.
National School Choice Week
01/27/2013
Today marks the beginning of National School Choice Week (January 27- February 2). Hundreds of events are being held across the country to celebrate increasing educational options for parents and keep the momentum growing for the movement.
Save the Date: Capitol Day 2013
01/21/2013
GFPVE will be hosting our 2013 Capitol Day on Thursday February 28 at the Georgia Freight Depot. As in years past, we there be plenty of free food, prizes, and fun for the family. We will host several guest speakers and make our annual visit to the State Capitol to visit with your legislators.Please save this date on your calendar and check back for more details on the website or in our e-mail updates.
Georgia Charter Schools Commission Appointed
01/18/2013
After an exciting victory in November, saw the results of their hard work begin to become a reality today. The Georgia Charter Schools Commission was appointed today. The Commission, which was struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2011, is now constitutional protected and prepared to hold its first meeting in February.
2013 Legislative Session Begins Today
01/14/2013
GFPVE had an incredibly successful legislative session last year. We helped pass a constitutional amendment to protect state charter schools and its enabling legislation. We also secured enhanced funding in the budget for online state charter schools. This year, the focus will definitely be on the budget.
Election Victory: Thanks for Supporting Charter Schools
11/07/2012
Yesterday the voters of Georgia spoke loud and clear. They want more options in public education. The state constitutional amendment to protect state charter schools passed overwhelmingly, 57.5%-41.5%. GFPVE was part of a well-organized statewide campaign to support the effort. As part of the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition, GFPVE parents and students worked hard to ensure the continuation of state charter schools and help reinstate the Georgia Charter Schools Commission.
Olens sends clear message to local school boards
10/10/2012
Georgia's Attorney General, Sam Olens, has sent a strong letter demanding that local school boards and the State School Superintendent stop using taxpayer dollars to oppose Amendment One. The State School Superintendent has capitulated to the law, but so far many school districts have decided to maintain noncompliance.
Governor Deal Stands Stands Up for Us
08/15/2012
Governor Nathan Deal stood resolute in his support of the constitutional amendment to protect state charter schools despite a disturbing flip-flop by State School Superintendent John Barge. GFPVE President Renee Lord issued a statement thanking the governor for his strong leadership. More...
A Great 2012 Legislative Session
03/30/2012
Thanks to your support, we had a fantastic 2012 legislative session. With your help, we passed a constitutional amendment to protect charter schools (HR 1162) and its companion legislation HB 797. The amendment will be on the ballot in November. More...
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.