A Fulton-area family will have their day in court this Friday as they ask a judge to grant them their right to access a full-time virtual education program as provided for by Missouri law.

The Estill family sued DESE after their three children were denied access to the Missouri Virtual Academy (MOVA), a virtual education program provided by the Grandview RII School District.

MOVA meets all of the requirements to be considered a Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) provider for Missouri students. The suit alleges that the family was told that the Fulton School District “don’t use other district’s online curriculum” which is a clear violation of the virtual education course access law that took effect in August 2018.

This interpretation is supported by Sen. Bob Onder, the lead sponsor of that virtual education legislation.

“It is imperative for students to access the education and courses they need to succeed,” Onder said in a news release. “Senate Bill 603 was intended to expand opportunities for students to learn in an environment that works best for them, even if it is outside of the traditional classroom.”