AUSTIN – This week is School Choice Week in Texas and across the country. More than 460 events are planned across the Lone Star State, in addition to 5,500 events nationwide. Governor Rick Perry recently proclaimed Jan. 26 – Feb. 1 as “Texas School Choice Week.”
The Week, which is the nation’s largest-ever celebration of educational opportunity, gives students, parents, and teachers in Texas a chance to raise awareness of the different types of educational options available to families in advance of the 2014-2015 school year. Events across the state will include rallies, school fairs, roundtable discussions, open houses, and parent information sessions.
National School Choice Week spotlights all types of education options for families – including traditional public schools, public magnet schools, charter schools, private schools, online learning and homeschooling.
In addition to raising awareness of school choice options in Texas, the Week also provides students, parents and teachers with an opportunity to call on leaders in Austin to expand access to high-quality education environments for children.
“Texas families know that when parents have the freedom to choose the best schools for their children, great things happen,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “Student achievement increases, graduation rates rise, and children are better prepared for real life.”
Said Campanella: “National School Choice Week chose Texas to host the Official Kickoff of this incredible week for a reason: school choice is working for Texas families, and Texas parents remain committed to advancing even greater educational options for their children. We are grateful for everyone in the Lone Star State who has given National School Choice Week a positive, Texas-sized welcome, and we thank Governor Perry for raising awareness of this important issue.”
The Week officially kicked off at a major rally Saturday night in Houston, Texas. Today, students wearing National School Choice Week’s signature yellow scarves will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange.
