By Jay Schuler

During the last legislative session, education bureaucrats went to great lengths to hinder public virtual schools – denying access and creating barriers to a unique public education option for thousands of underserved students in Nevada. Fortunately, committed and passionate parents blocked their efforts.

With the 2019 legislative session under way, one would think state lawmakers would seek out the opinions of parents like myself. Common sense dictates giving parents a seat at the policy making table, in light of our experience and investment as "learning coaches" throughout the school day and at home.

Unfortunately, that's simply not the case. After months spent secretly drafting new legislation, state lawmakers are preparing to announce how they intend to save online public education in Nevada. Their pitch: "We're from the government and we're here to help."

I attended nearly every legislative education hearing in 2017 and dozens of special meetings sponsored by the State Public Charter School Authority in order to offer a parent perspective.  Hundreds of other dedicated parents have also been vocal, only to have their input fall on deaf ears. One might almost suspect lawmakers think we have nothing of value to say.

But let's give state lawmakers the benefit of doubt and assume they are seeking to help our schools and students succeed. Here are a few questions to help assess their intentions:

• Why were parents not offered the opportunity to testify at the Interim Legislative Committee on Education hearing on public virtual education, when time was provided to a Washington, D.C. "expert" who shared one-sided criticisms?
• Have any state lawmakers spent time with a family with a child enrolled in an online school in order to understand the online curriculum or learn about the statewide testing hardships encountered by those students?
• Have any state lawmakers had a personal conversation with even one online student? Each has a unique story to share.  

Parents want to work collaboratively with state lawmakers and be a constructive voice in the public policy discussion. We're confident our perspectives can enhance the online education experience for our students. But frankly, it's a struggle for us to believe in lawmakers' best intentions – especially when they've done so little to learn about ours.  

Jay Schuler is a board director of the National Coalition of Public School Options.  He and his family reside in Reno.