THIS WEEK: Louisiana Raises Awareness of Opportunity in Education at 355 School Choice Week Events

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

BATON ROUGE, La.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–National School Choice Week begins today in Louisiana and across the
country. There are 355 events planned in the Pelican State to raise
awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.

The events in Louisiana, 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 community breakfast and school tour January 26 at 8 a.m. at the
Lakefront Airport in New Orleans.

The counties of Franklin and LaSalle and cities of Arnaudville, Clinton,
Cottonport, Delcambre, Delhi, Golden Meadow, Homer, Kinder, Lecompte,
Leesville, Pearl River, Shreveport, St. Francisville, Thibodaux, Town of
Krotz, and Westwood have issued official proclamations recognizing
January 22-28, 2017 as “School Choice Week.”

National School Choice Week provides families in Louisiana 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.

“I always look forward to joining with our families to celebrate
National School Choice Week. School choice has helped level the playing
field for Louisiana families who otherwise would have no other option
but to send their children to underperforming public schools,” said Ann
Duplessis, president of Louisiana Federation for Children. “School
choice is giving hope to thousands of low-income and minority families,
making it possible for all parents to choose the education that best
fits their children’s individual needs – a choice more affluent parents
take for granted.”

“Educational opportunity is an issue that crosses party lines and
impacts every single family in Louisiana,” said Andrew Campanella,
president of National School Choice Week. “We are grateful that National
School Choice Week

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 LOUISIANA FAMILIES

• According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in
  Louisiana can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2017-2018
  school year. Parents in the Pelican 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. In some parts of the state, open
  enrollment policies allow parents to select the best traditional
  public school, regardless of where the school is located. 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

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