Tennessee Education Commissioner Takes Away Right to Virtual Education for 626 Students
Center for Education Reform Stands with Families Denied Access
CER Action Alert
Washington, D.C.
July 25, 2014
The Center for Education Reform strongly condemns the recent directive by the Tennessee Education Commissioner to un-enroll 626 students from the Tennessee Virtual Academy (TNVA), denying them their school choice rights.
“It’s an outrage that these 626 legally enrolled students are now being forcefully turned away, just two weeks before the start of the school year,” said Kara Kerwin, president of The Center for Education Reform. “This represents an unreasonable attempt by Commissioner Huffman to virtually block the schoolhouse door.”
More than 1,000 parents, students and educators have positively attested to the Tennessee Virtual Academy experience, and more than 1,100 petition signatures have been collected in support of Tennessee families accessing the school of their choice.
“With more than four million students nationwide enrolled in some sort of online-based learning method, it’s become clear that families seek out online learning as a viable alternative to the traditional school model,” said Kerwin. “The Center for Education Reform stands with Tennessee parents and students who want to access the educational opportunity right for them.”
