THIS WEEK: 505 Events and Activities in Arkansas to Raise Awareness About School Choice

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

Governor Asa Hutchinson Issues Proclamation Recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Arkansas School Choice Week

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Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Parents students, teachers, and communities are planning more than 300 events and activities to celebrate School Choice Week in Arkansas.

The Week will feature 505 events and activities across the Natural 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 Friday, January 25, 2019 11:00 AM at the state capitol rotunda in Little Rock. In addition, school bus tours are planned in Star City, Pine Bluff, Sherwood, Cabot at various schools.

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 Arkansas, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. Arkansas even offers scholarships for some families hoping to send their children to private or parochial schools. Arkansas offers a state-run scholarship program for certain students.Virtual Arkansas offers online classes for any Arkansas student, though online classes for students in grades K-6 are limited. Students can take all or some of their classes online, but they must be enrolled in a public school.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. Governor Asa Hutchinson issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Arkansas School Choice Week. In addition, the counties of Crawford, Johnson, and White and the cities of Ash Flat, Ashdown , El Dorado, Forrest City, Horatio, Horseshoe Blend, and Mountain View 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.

"For most of my students, this is their first school year in the U.S. They were fascinated to learn about the different options available in the U.S. and specifically right in our city," said Rebecca Booth, ESOL teacher at Elmwood Middle school, a traditional public school serving 650 students in Rogers, Arkansas.

"We encourage Arkansas families to evaluate their school choice options during National School Choice Week, when so many schools and homeschool groups are holding special events and activities," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

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

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