THIS WEEK: School Choice Spotlighted at 368 Events across Missouri

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

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–National School Choice Week begins today in Missouri and across the
country. There are 368 events planned in the Show-Me State to raise
awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.

The events in Missouri, 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 school choice celebration February 2 at 11 a.m. at the Missouri
State Capitol rotunda.

The counties of Warren, Scott, Schuyler, Wright, Clark, and McDonald
have issued official proclamations recognizing January 22-28, 2017 as
“School Choice Week.”

National School Choice Week provides families in Missouri 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.

“Missouri’s charter schools have proven that when parents have a choice
and students attend the public school best for them they do succeed,”
said Douglas Thaman, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public
School Association. “Parents and students who have benefitted from
public school choice are eager to rally in the Capitol and send a
message to Missouri’s legislators that it’s time in Missouri to expand
public school choice beyond Kansas City and St. Louis.”

“Research shows that school choice increases student achievement, boosts
graduation rates, and provides children with the tools and knowledge
they need to pursue their dreams,” said Andrew Campanella, president of
National School Choice Week. “During National School Choice Week,
Missouri families will raise awareness of the benefits of school choice,
while speaking out about the importance of expanding opportunity to even
more families.”

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 MISSOURI FAMILIES

• According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in
  Missouri can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2017-2018
  school year. Parents in the Show-Me 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.

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
Shelby Doyle, 202-480-2927 ext. 820
Director
of Communications and External Relations
shelby@schoolchoiceweek.com