National School Choice Week begins today in Pennsylvania and across the country. There are 796 events planned in the Keystone State to raise awareness about K-12 school choice, and 21,392 events nationwide.

The events in Pennsylvania, 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. Highlighted events include a large celebration of school choice January 27 at Tidioute Community Charter School.

The counties of Somerset, Warren, Venango, Cumberland, Beaver, and Blair and cities of Adams Township, Alsace Township, Archbald, Avalon, Bethel Park, Bethel Township, Blooming Grove, Borough of Coudersport, Borough of Danville, Borough of Gallitzin, Borough of Mckees Rocks, Borough of Newtown, Borough of Ridgway, Borough of Slatington, Borough of West Conshohocken, Borough of West Hazleton, Bratton, Carlisle, Conemaugh, Connellsville, Gettysburg, Grove City, Hamilton Township, Hazle, Oxford Township, Reading, Richland, Union Township, Upper Mount Bethel, and Williamsport have issued official proclamations recognizing January 22-28, 2017 as “School Choice Week.”

National School Choice Week provides families in Pennsylvania with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children in advance of the 2017-2018 school year. The Week also raises awareness of the importance of providing every child with effective education options.

"Students, parents, teachers, and community leaders in Pennsylvania have a lot to celebrate during National School Choice Week," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "Pennsylvania has long been a pioneer in providing a diversity of K-12 education options for children and families."

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 PENNSYLVANIA FAMILIES

  • According to National School Choice Week’s organizers, families in Pennsylvania can use the Week to look for K-12 schools for the 2017-2018 school year. Parents in the Keystone 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.

ABOUT NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

  • National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort spotlighting effective education options for children, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. The Week runs from January 22-28, 2017. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.