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More students than ever are taking advantage of digital learning programs. In Ohio, the number of students enrolled in online schools has increased 12-fold since 2000, the year the state got its first virtual academy.

In the Sunshine State, the Florida Virtual School has gone from 77 students fifteen years ago to 148,000 students at the end of the 2011 school year. The school saw an increase of 25,000 students in just one year alone.

Another recent report of online learning growth is out of Wisconsin. The Journal Sentinel contacted virtual schools in the Badger State about enrollment growth over the last year, and ten reported at least a 15% increase, with seven of those gaining at least 30% more students. A lot of this growth is likely attributed to a recent law that extended the timeframe for the state’s open enrollment program.

Each of these states falls in the top ten on CER’s Parent Power Index, which means all of these states have created an environment that allows parents to have choices when it comes to their child’s education. This online learning growth spurt sends a clear message that parents want and need options. So instead of parents having to fight for options “Won’t Back Down” style, wouldn’t it be nice for states to step up to the plate and start creating laws that ensure parents have these choices available to them?