2020 Day at the Capitol Press Release

OVER 500 PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS TO RALLY AT THE COLORADO STATE CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF CYBERSCHOOLS AND ONLINE LEARNING 

DENVER (February 19, 2020) – Over 500 parents, students and educators from the Colorado Coalition for Cyberschool Families (CCCF) descended today on the Colorado State Capitol to show support for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado. CCCF is a group of committed parents who have united to be powerful and vocal advocates for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado. Schools of choice are threatened across the country and school choice advocates throughout the state are joining forces to stand up for the right of parents and students to pick the best education for the student and their families. 

“The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families believes the State should trust parents with their children’s education and that students should be able to choose the education options that fit them best,” said Tillie Elvrum, a cyberschool parent and president of CCCF as well as the former president of the National Coalition for Public School Options. “Cyberschool makes education possible for students of all backgrounds, and their testimonies speak to the positive difference cyberschool makes in the lives of young people. Many students have nontraditional schedules due to sports or health issues, working full time, credit recovery, or learning disabilities. Cyberschool offers these kids a chance at education, and that opportunity must be protected.”

Cyberschool students include athletes who want to gain an education while practicing many hours a day, LGBTQ students who have experienced bullying in traditional classrooms, or even students who simply prefer to work at their own pace due to a learning disability or emotional issue. Students come from every walk of life engage in the programs. 

“Bullying, differing learning styles and military parents – these are just a few reasons why families choose online schooling for their children,” said Emerald Zietz, a cyberschool parent and board member of CCCF. “My daughter lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and her neighborhood school teachers simply were not equipped to deal with her differences. With online schooling, my daughter embraces her differences without fear of being bullied as her grades, knowledge, and confidence soar.”  

At the rally, CCCF honored four state legislators with Golden Apple Awards to recognize their commitment to school choice. This year’s honorees are State Representative Bri Buentello (D-Pueblo), State Representative Colin Larson (R-Jefferson County), State Senator Paul Lundeen (R-El Paso County), and State Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver).

Five cyberschool students shared their personal experiences and success with cyberschooling with the crowd of supporters.

This is Colorado Coalition for Cyberschool Families’ 16th annual Day at the Capitol. 

About the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families 

The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families is a group of committed parents who have united to be powerful and vocal advocates for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado. The coalition believes that all children should have free and equal access to public online schools without restrictions. For additional information on CCCF, please visit www.coloradocyberfamilies.org. 

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