WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The largest series of education-related events in US history begins today. National School Choice Week, which runs from January 24-30, 2016, will feature an unprecedented 16,140 events across the country. (www.schoolchoiceweek.com/kickoff)
The governors of 32 US states, along with more than 240 mayors and county leaders, have issued official proclamations recognizing January 24-30, 2016 as “School Choice Week” in their states and localities.
These elected leaders have called on residents to use National School Choice Week to “explore and identify the best education options available for their children.”
National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for children, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling.
Events during National School Choice Week – which are independently planned by schools, organizations, homeschool groups, chambers of commerce, organizations, and individuals – include everything from open houses at schools, school fairs, policy roundtable discussions, homeschool information sessions, and school assemblies.
There will also be rallies or events at 20 state capitol buildings during the Week, as well as a social media Thunderclap designed to get the hashtag #SchoolChoice trending (www.schoolchoiceweek.com/tweet).
“The goal of National School Choice Week is to raise awareness among parents that when it comes to their children’s K-12 education, they have options,” said Andrew R. Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “National School Choice Week also provides an opportunity for people who believe that parents should have more options for their kids to have their voices heard. We are grateful that so many students, parents, teachers, schools, organizations, and elected officials are joining us in this positive week of events, activities, and celebrations.”
US Governors Issuing Proclamations
Alabama Governor Robert J. Bentley
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
Arkansas
Governor Asa Hutchinson
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
Delaware
Governor Jack Markell
Florida Governor Rick Scott
Georgia
Governor Nathan Deal
Hawaii Governor David Ige
Idaho Governor
Butch Otter
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
Indiana Governor
Mike Pence
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad
Kansas Governor Sam
Brownback
Maine Governor Paul LePage
Maryland Governor Larry
Hogan
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker
Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant
Nebraska Governor
Pete Ricketts
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval
New Jersey
Governor Chris Christie
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez
North
Carolina Governor Pat McCrory
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple
Ohio
Governor John Kasich
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin
South
Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam
Texas
Governor Greg Abbott
Utah Governor Gary Herbert
Wisconsin
Governor Scott Walker
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead
The Alaska Legislature has also passed a resolution commemorating School Choice Week.
Select Mayors and County Leaders Issuing Proclamations
Mayors and county leaders from some of America’s most populous cities and counties have recognized National School Choice Week with official proclamations. These leaders include, but are not limited to:
Baltimore, Maryland (Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake)
Charlotte,
North Carolina (Mayor Jennifer Roberts)
Clark County, Nevada (Board
of Commissioners)
Cleveland, Ohio (Mayor Frank Jackson)
Denver,
Colorado (Mayor Michael Hancock)
Jackson, Mississippi (Mayor Tony
Yarber)
Jacksonville, Florida (Mayor Lenny Curry)
Kansas City,
Missouri (Mayor Sly James)
Los Angeles County, California (Board of
Supervisors)
Memphis, Tennessee (Mayor Jim Strickland)
Miami,
Florida (Mayor Tomas Regalado)
Nashville, Tennessee (Mayor Megan
Barry)
New Orleans, Louisiana (Mayor Mitch Landrieu)
Orlando,
Florida (Mayor Buddy Dyer)
Phoenix, Arizona (Mayor Greg Stanton)
Sacramento,
California (Mayor Kevin Johnson)
St. Louis (Mayor Francis Slay)
Tampa,
Florida (Mayor Bob Buckhorn)
Tulsa, Oklahoma (Mayor Dewey Bartlett)
Washington,
DC (Mayor Muriel Bowser)
