This week is “National School Choice Week.” It’s the 15th year millions of parents, students, teachers, and school leaders have celebrated education options in their communities. There are school fairs and statehouse rallies, gubernatorial proclamations, and of course, the movement’s ubiquitous bright yellow knit scarves.
But why the last week of January, instead of back-to-school season or wrapped around college signing day, when K-12 education is top of mind?
Because it’s a strategic spot on the academic calendar, winter and early spring are when public charter schools and other nontraditional schools begin accepting applications for the following year.
National School Choice Week is actually a nonpartisan public awareness campaign. Its goal is alerting parents about available school choices and encouraging them to be unafraid to exercise agency over their kids’ education, while there’s time to make a move.
