National School Choice Week to Galvanize Thousands of Americans in Support of School Choice, January 23-29, 2011

150+ organizations, leading policymakers and opinion leaders are "all in" for National School Choice Week, and major events are planned across the country.

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National School Choice Week

Jan 05, 2011, 01:26 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of Americans will demand that children gain access to more effective and challenging schools during America's first-ever National School Choice Week, January 23-29, 2011 (www.schoolchoiceweek.com)

National School Choice Week will shine a dramatic spotlight on the need for effective educational options for every child. More than 150 state and national organizations will host major events across the country, which are expected to attract tens of thousands of participants.

"National School Choice Week will offer an opportunity for everyone who supports real reform -- whether it be in the form of charter school growth, scholarships, tuition tax credits, virtual schooling, or homeschooling -- to unite under one banner and demand real and lasting change in K-12 education," said Kyle Olson, the celebration's executive director.

Prominent National School Choice Week participants will include Speaker John Boehner, Senator Joe Lieberman, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, commentator Juan Williams, Grammy-award winning singer Jon Secada, Black Alliance for Educational Options Chairman Kevin P. Chavous and former New York Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz.

National School Choice Week comes after an historic election season during which the chronic failures of many American public schools were hotly debated. As numerous high-profile documentaries this year have highlighted, education spending has increased by more than 200 percent over 25 years but student academic achievement has remained stagnant and unacceptable.

In addition to high-profile events, governors and state legislators from across the country plan to issue proclamations celebrating National School Choice Week.

To learn more about events in your area, to discover national participants, and to sign up to participate, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com. You can also connect with National School Choice Week events on Facebook (www.facebook.com/schoolchoiceweek) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/schoolchoicewk)

SOURCE National School Choice Week