Major Television Ad Campaign Elevates School Choice to National Prominence

Campaign Coincides with National School Choice Week

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Jan 19, 2011, 10:58 ET

MUSKEGON, Mich., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A national television advertising campaign -- running now -- is highlighting the importance of providing parents with expanded educational options for their children. The campaign, which is running in most major markets across the country, was launched on Monday by National School Choice Week, reminding parents that educational failure for our country "is not an option." You can view the ad at www.schoolchoiceweek.com

Education reform advocates say that increasing access to better schools -- charter schools, virtual schools, private schools, and homeschooling -- can improve student outcomes and ensure that every child in our country receives the opportunity to succeed. The ad stresses that America's education system is woefully underperforming, and that American families must demand better.

"All across America, too many children are trapped in broken schools that are failing our kids," the ad's narrator says, echoing national statistics indicating that despite record spending increases, America's public school systems are not substantially improving. In fact, more than 1.2 million children drop out of public schools each year, yielding a nearly-$1 billion drain on America's economy. And -- American students are outpaced by 35 other nations in reading and math, the spot shows.

School choice can provide immediate solutions for children trapped in schools that no longer work, advocates argue.

"As the ad says, it's time to 'demand excellent schools for every student,'" said Kyle Olson, executive director of National School Choice Week. "We hope that this advertising campaign, combined with events all across the country, will inform many more parents about the benefits of school choice and send a clear signal to policymakers and opinion leaders that bold education reform cannot wait."

National School Choice Week will shine an unprecedented spotlight on the need to expand educational options for children. More than 150 organizations are involved in the planning of the Week, and special events will be held in nearly every US state.

The ads will continue to run through January 29, 2011 on broadcast stations and cable networks across the country.

SOURCE National School Choice Week