INDIANAPOLIS — Dozens of students from across Indiana showed up to the Statehouse with their computers in hand Wednesday morning.
It was a part of their way to show state lawmakers why they believe the choice of learning online should be for everyone, as part of National School Choice Week.
"They're doing their classes right now behind us, so you can do those lessons sometimes anytime you need them, and that's a very different experience," said Latrisha Weber.
Weber, a parent and advocate for online learning, said her children go to Indiana Digital Learning School. It is one of the virtual schools visiting the Statehouse to highlight learning options for Hoosier parents.
"We built this from the ground up, years before COVID ever happened," Weber said. "This is not like the virtual learning that people saw during COVID."
"As a parent, one of your roles is to know your child and to know what works for them," said Erica Clanton.
Clanton has two sons in an online school. She said her oldest went back to in-person learning last year, but things didn't work.
"Several issues with bullying and it was a really rough year. So, this year we went back to virtual," Clanton said.
Clanton said having the ability to choose means everything.
"I love it because I get to know what they're studying, and I get to help them out with it. If I have issues, I have support with the school," Clanton said.
Advocates are pushing for more funding for online learning. Right now, online schools receive less state funding than in-person schools.
Both Clanton and Weber hope they can create change, and let lawmakers know everyone deserves a choice in how they learn.
"I want them to be able to learn and know themselves and I want the school to be able to help them in that manner as well," Clanton said.
To learn more about different learning choices here in Indiana, click here.