Every February in Colorado, parents, students and educators have the opportunity to make their voices heard at our state Capitol.

On the heels of Colorado School Choice Week, families statewide find themselves in a position of empowerment. As advocates from around the state demonstrate on the Capitol steps, the ever-innovative Centennial State is a leader in school choice, especially when it comes to online schooling options for our kids.

Thanks to thoughtful lawmaker efforts over the decades, our education system is rife with a wide variety of options: students have access to tuition-free online public school through a myriad of districts and their programs, teachers are equipped with digital resources like the robust Open Educational Resources repository of lesson content, and school districts with teacher shortages can staff their virtual classrooms with help from more populated school communities through the Colorado Association of School Executives.

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Despite these initiatives and Colorado’s student- and family-friendly education environment, there’s still no room for apathy. That’s why our Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families will be out in full force to keep the momentum going at our annual Day at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Take, for example, the huge step we saw legislators take in 2024, opening the door to remote state-assessment testing with S.B. 24-070. Their bipartisan efforts and Gov. Jared Polis’ signature were the culmination of a groundswell of support for those students who need the flexibility provided by remote options when it comes to taking state assessments as well as their regular classes.

This time last year, our students, parents and advocates were still preparing the powerful testimony that moved our school choice champions under the Golden Dome to pave the way for remote options for state-mandated tests. Today, schools are preparing to roll out a pilot program for the first group of students to use the groundbreaking test method from their homes and learning stations.

Progress never rests, and that’s why we’re making our voices heard in support of public school options again in 2025.

Our mission — to promote full-time online public schooling in Colorado — is rooted in our children’s experiences and those of the families who continue to call for diverse options that fit diverse needs. Public schools must continue to embrace virtual classrooms and the evolving options that support them to meet such needs.

The flexibility online school provides is a gateway for all students to learn at their own pace. Though some students need more time to grasp concepts, others crave more advanced challenges.

Take the “flipped classroom” as a leading model offering a fresh approach in Colorado, which not only taps into some students’ learning styles but is arguably more conducive to the online format. Students learn the material on their own first, remotely via videos or other technology, then come together with their teachers to work through it and seek help.

Expanding virtual options also ensures parents can select the best learning environment for their children. By exploring a wide range of schooling models, families will find programs replete with instructors who specialize in teacher-student interaction via the virtual classroom.

By eliminating distractions typical of in-person settings, these educators offer more individualized support. With fewer classroom management concerns, teachers can focus on what they do best — teaching.

Additionally, virtual schools offer specialized courses many local schools cannot, from AP classes to career-oriented programs to mentorship opportunities that give our students an academic edge. Plus, flexible schedules open doors to learning experiences at community events and conferences. High-level student-athletes are also benefactors, as they can keep up with the demands of the modern sports environment as well as their classroom responsibilities.

At the core of many of the benefits of online education is its ability to strengthen family engagement. Parents taking active roles in their children’s education pathways cherish the opportunities to support online learning experiences.

With our kids in mind and smart policies in place, Colorado will ensure all manner of school choice, including virtual options, remain a vital part of public education and give more students the chance to succeed. That’s why we’ll be marching to the Capitol this Thursday at 11:30 a.m., and we hope you’ll join us.

Erika Taylor is the president of the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families, a group of dedicated parents advocating for full-time online public schooling in Colorado and the best possible education for its children.