Originally published on The Oklahoman – October 31st, 2023
Special education is personal to my family. We can attest to how online school has helped our 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, achieve excellence.
In her brick-and-mortar school, Elizabeth was placed in a class of students with varying intellectual and physical special needs. This was not an ideal learning environment for her, as she was not pushed to excel. The situation was difficult and frustrating for our family, as we wanted Elizabeth to graduate with marketable skills and the ability to live independently. We knew we had to lean in and take action to find the best learning path for her.
I began homeschooling my daughter while we investigated other options for special education. Finally, we found Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA), a tuition-free online school serving Oklahoma students in grades K-12. We were excited to learn OVCA offers Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), meaning Elizabeth could receive the specialized instruction she needed.
Elizabeth’s IEP math teacher, Cara Bass, was dedicated and caring, and she continues to inspire and guide our family. With Miss Bass’ commitment and encouragement, Elizabeth accomplished things academically she otherwise would not have. Miss Bass encouraged Elizabeth to attend college, an idea that was beyond our wildest dreams.
After graduating from OVCA, Elizabeth was accepted to Northeastern State University’s (NSU) Riverhawks Scholars program. She will receive a certificate after four years of study and have the prospect to live independently, make friends, hold a job and have a fulfilling life.
I became emotional dropping Elizabeth off at NSU last year. What would the future hold for her? I was an optimistic yet anxious father, but I decided to trust the system — and I’m glad I did.
The NSU Riverhawks Scholars program has helped Elizabeth come out of her shell. She’s learning about responsibility, like getting to class on time and completing assignments. She is more social than ever and has been encouraged to interact with non-special ed students on campus. She is thriving and making friends!
Now in her sophomore year, Elizabeth has big dreams. She wants to help younger students with learning disabilities, and she’s learning American Sign Language, which she could teach to hearing-impaired students.
Parents, grandparents, caretakers and guardians — look for the best learning opportunities for your special ed student, whether that’s online school or another option. Helping our special ed students become their best selves is transformative for them, their families and society as a whole.
To learn more about Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, please visit https://ovca.k12.com.
