More than 4,000 people are expected to march on the capitol in Austin to show their support for expanding school choice options during National School Choice Week. Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick will speak in favor of expanding school choice options along with a host of parents, students, educators, and elected officials.

The rally is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. on the south steps of the capitol in Austin. This will be the fifth annual rally to celebrate National School Choice Week in Texas. Each year the rally – and the momentum for school choice in Texas – continues to grow dramatically.

The goal of the rally is to turn the attention of the state toward the demand for more school choice from every corner of Texas. With 2017 poised to be an important year for expanding education choice options, the celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country as well as the legislative session.

“This annual event is a reminder to our legislators that parents in Texas want more education freedom,” said event organizer Randan Steinhauser. “The demand for more school choice is widespread and it’s time for Texas to join the growing number of states that allow parents the opportunity to choose their child’s education.”

“We are working with organizations and parents representing every type of school and every type of student,” said Justin Yancy, president of the Texas Business Leadership Council. “The message of this event is loud and clear: it's time for more school choice in Texas."

The event is organized by Texas Private Schools Association, Texas Homeschool Coalition, Texas Charter Schools Association, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Catholic Conference, ResponsiveEd, Families Empowered, Public School Options, Aspire Texas, EdChoice, Texans for Education Opportunity, Americans for Prosperity – Texas, LIBRE Initiative, The Justice Foundation, Agudath Israel, Texas Business Leadership Council, Texas Association of Business, Connections Academy, Institute for Justice, and the Texas Conservative Coalition.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.