In the middle of the 2024 holiday season, Kentucky’s virtual students faced an unprecedented threat. Without warning, the Kentucky Department of Education advanced a policy that would have effectively closed the Kentucky Virtual Academy, a program serving more than 2,800 students across the state. KDE voted to cap enrollment in virtual programs at just 10 percent of the sponsoring district’s total enrollment, a limit that would have restricted KYVA to fewer than 30 students. For these families, this policy was more than a number, it was a threat to their children’s education and their very ability to access the school that fit their needs.

The decision came without input from parents, educators, or students. In response, Kentucky Parents for School Options, PSO-KY, mobilized swiftly, equipping families with tools, guidance, and support to advocate boldly. Through emails, committee testimonies, video messages, social media campaigns, and media outreach, PSO-KY parents made sure their voices could not be ignored. By February 2025, HB 241 passed, protecting KYVA’s future and proving the power of organized, parent-led advocacy.

The Threat to KYVA

KYVA has long been a lifeline for students whose needs were not met by traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Many of its 2,800 learners face health challenges, learning differences, or complex family circumstances. For these students, virtual education is not a convenience, it is often the only path to academic and social success.

Yet in late 2024, KDE quietly proposed a rule capping virtual programs at 10 percent of a district’s enrollment. For KYVA, this meant fewer than 30 students could remain enrolled, effectively forcing the school to close for the 2025-26 academic year.

“This was a moment that demanded immediate action,” said Regional Director Jordan McGrain. “Parents were shocked, parents were afraid, and parents were determined to fight for the school their children needed.”

Parents Step Up

PSO-KY acted without hesitation. In early January 2025, the organization hosted a virtual kick-off town hall where over 100 parents gathered to learn about the KDE proposal and how to take swift action. With the legislature set to make a final decision in February, families knew every day counted.

Over the next month, parents made their voices impossible to ignore, taking action in every way they could:

• 439 emails were sent to lawmakers urging them to protect KYVA,
• 75 parents attended a critical committee hearing, filling the room with blue t-shirts and sharing personal stories about how KYVA transformed their children’s lives,
• 20 families recorded video testimonials delivered directly to legislators, putting faces and voices to the statistics,
• Dozens of parent stories were shared on social media, highlighting the real students and families behind virtual learning.
  

Through these efforts, parents drove momentum and made clear that KYVA is not just a program, it is an essential resource for thousands of children across Kentucky.

Making Noise in the Media

PSO-KY recognized that influencing policymakers required more than emails and committee testimonies, it required public visibility. The coalition launched a strategic media outreach campaign to ensure that parent voices were part of the statewide conversation.

The campaign resulted in more than 17 pieces of coverage, potentially reaching nearly two million Kentuckians. Coverage included:

• 6 TV news stories showcasing families and students,
• 2 major statewide publication articles,
• Multiple opinion-editorials and letters to the editor, including The Courier-Journal and Adair Progress, highlighting how the policy threatened access for vulnerable students.
  

By putting real families into the public spotlight, PSO-KY ensured lawmakers felt the full weight of their constituents’ voices beyond the walls of the statehouse.

The Legislative Outcome

All of these efforts converged in February 2025. HB 241, a bill protecting KYVA’s enrollment and preventing arbitrary caps, passed, securing the school for the students who depend on it.

Legislators repeatedly cited parent engagement as a decisive factor in their decision. They pointed to the hundreds of emails, the packed committee hearings, and the video testimonials as proof that the community valued KYVA and the students it serves.

“This wasn’t just a legislative win,” said McGrain. “It was a validation of parent advocacy and the critical role families play in shaping education policy.”

Conclusion

The KYVA fight proves the power of informed, organized, and bold parent advocacy. In less than two months, Kentucky families rallied to save a school, ensuring more than 2,800 students could continue learning in the environment that best supports them. PSO-KY’s rapid mobilization, strategic media engagement, and commitment to elevating parent voices were decisive in securing HB 241 and protecting KYVA’s future. 

This victory not only demonstrates that policymakers listen when parents speak, but serves as a masterclass for the following advocacy strategies:

Time is Critical. Acting quickly when policy threatens educational access is essential. PSO-KY’s rapid response ensured parents could make a coordinated impact before the legislative deadline.

Coalitions Multiply Strength. Collaboration between PSO-KY, educators, and virtual school administrators amplified voices and maintained message consistency across advocacy channels.

Media Matters. Coverage in statewide outlets expanded the impact of advocacy efforts and provided additional leverage to sway undecided legislators.

Every Story Counts. Individual experiences, whether shared in person, via email, or through video, were crucial in humanizing the stakes of the policy debate.

Ultimately, the KYVA victory is proof that parent advocacy is not just reactive, it is transformative. By elevating real voices, organizing rapidly, and working strategically with partners, parents ensured that a school, its students, and their educational futures were protected.