Aley Minton

I have two boys, ages 12 and 14. Today, they are both doing very well in school, but it was not always that way. My oldest son has dyslexia and my youngest has epilepsy, Tourette’s and a severe food allergy, and for years they both struggled in the traditional school setting.

But thankfully, we were fortunate enough to have the choice to enroll our sons in one of Michigan’s online charter public schools. It took us time to come to this decision, but it was far and away the best decision we could have ever made for our boys.

Both of my sons are now thriving, and it’s because we were afforded the opportunity to seek out both a school and a setting that best meets their specific needs.

My children learn differently. All children learn differently. This is why I am truly troubled by Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan to cut funding for innovative online public schools. Once a champion for “any time, any place, any pace, any way” learning, the governor is now calling for a 20 percent cut to all students who attend an online charter public school.

As a parent and as a taxpayer, I can’t let this stand. Every child deserves to be treated equally by the state.

Research has shown that full-time online schools need nearly the same per pupil funding provided to traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Additionally, over 80 percent of the funding online schools receive is spent directly on teachers and instruction. Any funding cut leveled against online charter schools will immediately and dramatically affect their ability to retain the teachers, counselors and critical support staff needed to continue providing the individualized attention and support that make online learning so sought after.

Thousands of children throughout the state are now enrolled in online charter public schools, and it is because their parents have decided that a virtual charter public school is the best possible option for their children.

For many, school choice is a deeply partisan and political issue, but in years past the Legislature has always done the right thing when it’s come to treating all students fairly. Make sure your lawmakers know that the governor’s plan is an unfair plan.

Aley Minton is a board member of the Michigan Chapter of Public School.