START THE COUNTDOWN: Illinois Families, Educators Find the Positive in Education by Celebrating School Choice Week

Prairie State Parents Find New Ways to Celebrate Learning, Support Opportunity for All

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Jan 15, 2021, 05:30 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of a school year like no other, Illinois families and educators are gearing up to safely spotlight education options during School Choice Week 2021. Illinois families, schools, and organizations are hosting 1,288 virtual or at-home celebrations during the Week.

Taking place annually since 2011, School Choice Week is America's largest celebration of educational choice. While typically the Week is packed with large, in-person events, school choice advocates have adapted to this year's health and safety protocols, opting for drive through scavenger hunts, virtual information sessions and showcases, online contests, drive-in movie screenings, and more.

Across the country, more than two dozen iconic U.S. landmarks and notable buildings will light up in special colors to mark the Week.

A growing number of communities have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week, including the county of Jefferson and the cities of Waukegan Township, Arlington Heights, DePue, South Rock Island, Sheridan, Palatine, Chicago Ridge, Elmwood Park, Matteson, and North Utica.

"2020's learning disruptions made it clear just how much families need flexible, excellent, and affordable education choices," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "This National School Choice Week, let's celebrate all of Illinois' great schools, and work to give all families' access to additional learning opportunities."

In Illinois, there are a variety of educational options available including: traditional public schools with flexible open enrollment, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and homeschooling. Illinois offers tax deductions for most students in private or home schools, and state-run scholarships for students under a certain income level.

Illinois families will be raising awareness about these choices at their virtual celebrations, which make up some of the more than 33,000 planned nationwide to spotlight K-12 education options.

To download a guide to Illinois school choice, use the Schools Near Me tool to search for schools in your area, or see celebration photos and proclamation updates, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com/illinois

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort; the Week is nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and not related to any legislative advocacy campaign.

Select local celebrants are available to discuss their plans with reporters upon request. For information on celebrations planned near you, reach out to us with information about your coverage area at [email protected].

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective education options for children and is the world's largest celebration of opportunity in K-12 education. The Week is a not-for-profit effort that focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children.

SOURCE National School Choice Week