JACKSON–– National School Choice Week begins today in Mississippi and across the country. There are 85 events planned in the Magnolia State to raise awareness about K-12 school choice, and 16,140 events nationwide.
The events in Mississippi, which are independently planned and independently funded, include everything from information sessions and open houses at schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie screenings organized by community groups. On Tuesday, January 26, hundreds of supporters will rally for school choice at the capitol.
Governor Phil Bryant and the mayors of Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, and Jackson have issued official proclamations recognizing January 24-30, 2016 as “School Choice Week.”
“School Choice Week provides families in Mississippi with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children in advance of the 2016-2017 school year,” said Andrew R. Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “The Week also raises awareness of the importance of providing every child with effective education options.”
With a goal of raising public awareness of effective education options for children, National School Choice Week will be the largest celebration of education options in US history.
SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR MISSISSIPPI FAMILIES
According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in Mississippi can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2016-2017 school year. Parents in the Magnolia State can choose from the following education options for their children: traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online academies, private schools, and homeschooling. In some parts of the state, open enrollment policies allow parents to select the best traditional public school, regardless of where the school is located. The state also has a program allowing qualifying children, in some cases, to receive scholarships to attend private schools.
