Last week, Colorado and many other states celebrated National School Choice Week, which raises public awareness for all types of education options for children. The goal is to make a world-class education available for every child. While the type of best education differs for each child, ranging from public school to private school to online education to homeschooling, one element is consistently at the heart of public school options – parents.

Each year, as I travel from conference to conference and as I leave each conference, I am continually inspired to continue my work fighting for parents to have access to every public school option. This year, my determination to ensure parents voices are heard is even greater for this legislative session.

Too often as I sit in presentations listening to how states and school districts will implement school accountability, performance frameworks, Every Student Succeeds Act, and A to F Report Cards for schools, many stakeholders in these processes are listed, but too often parents are not.

In fact, one presentation merely called parents “cheerleaders.” While we were not included as stakeholders to help determine policies that affect our children, parents were expected to support and cheer on these policies – after the decisions have been made, that is.

Sadly, many so-called experts crafting policy and exerting influence also only view parents as “cheerleaders” to rubber stamp their policies. Too often parents never get a seat at the table when major policy decisions impacting their children’s education are made.

This is the wrong approach and a disservice to parents, who are the ultimate stakeholders in their children’s education and their children’s number one advocates. As education reform and school choice advocates, we should be empowering parents through choice and bringing them to the table during policy discussions. Parents can inform policymakers on how recommendations will affect their schools and children.

Parents, this is my message to you: Your voices are important. Make them heard!

We recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first charter school law and we have seen many positive changes since then – but we still have work to do. If you’ve always had a choice between your local public school, brick-and-mortar charters, or online or blended schools, you are among the lucky parents. Those options were not always available, and their future availability is not always guaranteed. Our schools of choice are threatened across the country – from budget cuts to different accountability standards for different schools, parental choice is under attack.

Parents, you will have opportunities to share your perspectives during the legislative session, and we will be there to support you. You can lend your voice by writing letters to the editor, meeting with your legislators or participating in key hearings.

Stay vigilant and take every opportunity to make your voices heard. If reformers, policymakers and legislators are wise, they will save a seat at the table for you.

We must send the message to our policymakers that parents are the most important stakeholders, not just cheerleaders, and we know our children and schools best.