THIS WEEK: 4,927 Events and Activities in Texas to Raise Awareness About School Choice

Lone Star State Parents Will Discover Education Options for Children During National School Choice Week

Gov. Abbott Issues Proclamation Recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Texas School Choice Week

News provided by

Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Families and educators who've chosen a wide variety of schools are celebrating educational opportunity for Texas's nearly 10 million students during School Choice Week.

The Week will feature 4927 events and activities across the Lone Star State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. One of the largest events in the state will be a rally planned on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Texas State Capitol on the south steps.

Nationwide, 40,549 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 20-26, 2019), and 10.8 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history.

In Texas, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. Most Texas students in grades 3-12 can enroll full-time in a tuition-free online school.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. Gov. Abbott issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Texas School Choice Week. In addition, the counties of Hood, Panola, Potter, Tyler, and Wilson and the cities of Addison, Allen, Anna, Anson, Balcones Heights, Brazoria, Combine, Corinth, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Grapevine, Honey Grove, Irving, Keller, Kennedy, Lexington, Magnolia, McKinney, Prairie View, Richardson, Seagoville, Selma, Seven Points, Sulpher Springs, and Tomball have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

Celebrated since 2011, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. The Week is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and it is not related to any legislative advocacy campaign.

"We want to make sure that in our community – even though we live in a very poor neighborhood – the parents know that we do have resources for students. We promote that, we make people aware. We try to create well-rounded students... We also want to inform students when they are fifth graders that they have choices [for middle school]," said Victoria Orozo-Martinez, principal at De Zavala Elementary, a traditional public school serving 610 students, in Houston, Texas.

"Texas families have a growing variety of school choice options for their children's education, and we hope parents will use National School Choice Week to research those options," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

To download a guide to school choice or learn more about featured events in the Lone Star State, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/states/texas.

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a spotlight on effective education options for children. National School Choice Week celebrates all types of school options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. Learn more at www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week