Bloomington Alderman Karen Schmidt celebrates National School Choice Week at God's Deliverance Outreach Ministry with Pastor Rochelle Patterson.
A record number of US governors, mayors, and county leaders took part in the reportedly largest-ever series of education-related events in U.S. history by issuing official proclamations recognizing Jan. 25-31 as School Choice Week in their states and localities.
These 158 proclamations were issued by 64 Democratic and 43 Republican mayors, including Bloomington's Tari Renner. Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. National School Choice Week 2015 will be America's largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education. Featuring more than 11,000 independently organized events across all 50 states, the Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for children.
National School Choice Week is independent, nonpolitical, and nonpartisan, and embraces all types of educational choice – from traditional public schools to public charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.
"Families all across the country are celebrating the freedom to choose the right schools for their children this week. As people nationwide gather to support opportunity in education, it's clear that elected officials are standing up and taking note," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "There's no political or geographic barrier to supporting educational options for parents and kids, which is why we see Democrats and Republicans from every region of the country recognizing School Choice Week."
According to a 2011 Education Next poll, 50 percent or more of African-Americans either “completely” or “somewhat” favored vouchers for students to attend private schools, versus just 23 percent or fewer who oppose the idea. When presented with tax credits for individual and corporate donations for private school scholarships, “somewhat” or “complete” support hits 57 percent.
A Black Alliance for Educational Options report surveyed 1,700 black voters in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi in March 2013. In each state, 85 percent to 89 percent of those surveyed wanted as many educational choices as possible. More than half of those surveyed in each state—55 percent to 57 percent—said they would send their child to an alternative to their assigned school, if given the choice.
The group Hispanics for School Choice (HFSC) meanwhile advocates "for the removal of any restrictions on the parental right to choose" between public, charter, virtual, or home schooling.
"We are excited to start working on our advocacy goals for the upcoming year, all of which will break down barriers that are preventing too many children from reaching their full potential," Said Jason S. Crye, executive director of HFSC.
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