As a parent who had three children enrolled in a virtual school in a neighboring state, I am strongly considering enrolling another child in one of Iowa’s new virtual schools this fall. I am very disappointed in the Register’s treatment of this new and exciting educational option for Iowan children (Opinion section, Feb. 12).

Andie Dominick’s piece, “It Sounds Appealing at First …” uses the term “creepy” to describe an informational meeting hosted by one of the companies partnering with an Iowa school district to make this educational option a reality. I was at a similar meeting the next day. I would describe my experience as refreshing and inspiring.

Dominick resorts to the worn-out and unproven argument that being exclusively schooled in the home cheats students out of socialization. Nationwide, millions of homeschooling families have endured this criticism for years. Home-schooled kids are some of the most well-adjusted and socially adept young people I know. Besides, based on my experience, I know that virtual schools go out of their way to create opportunities for their students to physically interact with each other and their teachers. Group field trips and other get-togethers are common.

In several of these articles, much is made of the fact that the local host districts will only keep a small percentage of the money that is allocated by the state to educate each student and that the overwhelming majority of the money will go to the out-of-state, for-profit companies who partner with the districts. Keep in mind that actual teachers will have jobs because of these schools. Furthermore, education is costly and these companies cannot teach children for peanuts.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual schools need to be part of Iowa’s options