THIS WEEK: 242 Events in Alabama to Raise Awareness About School Choice

The Yellowhammer State plays key role in National School Choice
Week, the largest celebration of educational opportunity in US history.

MONTGOMERY, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–National School Choice Week begins today in Alabama and across the
country. There are 242 events planned in the Yellowhammer State to raise
awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.

The events in Alabama, which are independently planned and independently
funded, include everything from information sessions and open houses at
schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie screenings organized
by community groups. Highlighted events include a large rally January 27
at 11 a.m. at the Marriott Renaissance Ballroom in Montgomery.

The counties of Cullman and Madison; cities of Athens, Atmore, Clanton,
Coosada, Daphne, Falkville, Fort Deposit, Georgiana, Greensboro,
Harpersville, Huntsville, Loxley, Midland City, and Selma; and Governor
Bentley have issued official proclamations recognizing January 22-28,
2017 as “School Choice Week.”

National School Choice Week provides families in Alabama with the
opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available
for their children in advance of the 2017-2018 school year. The Week
also raises awareness of the importance of providing every child with
effective education options.

“The number of parents, students, and teachers who have rallied in
Montgomery for the past few years demonstrates just how strong
grassroots support for this issue is,” said Lesley Searcy, executive
director of the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. “National School
Choice Week is an opportunity to bring together families and school
leaders from every corner of education around our ultimate mission:
improving the future of every child through education.”

“School choice supporters in Alabama have truly harnessed the spotlight
of National School Choice Week to educate citizens across the state
about the importance of K-12 education options,” said Andrew Campanella,
president of National School Choice Week. “Over just the last several
years, the school choice options available to Alabama families have
expanded significantly thanks to the work of students, parents, leaders,
and lawmakers.”

With a goal of raising public awareness of effective education options
for children, National School Choice Week will be the largest
celebration of education options in US history.

SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES

• According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in
  Alabama can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2017-2018
  school year. Parents in the Yellowhammer State can choose from the
  following education options for their children: traditional public
  schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online academies,
  private schools, and homeschooling. The state also has programs
  allowing qualifying children, in some cases, to receive scholarships
  or tax credits to attend private schools.

ABOUT NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

• National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort
  spotlighting effective education options for children, including
  traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools,
  private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. The Week runs
  from January 22-28, 2017. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

Contacts

For more information, contact:
National School Choice Week
Shelby
Doyle, 202-480-2927 ext. 820
Director of Communications and
External Relations
shelby@schoolchoiceweek.com