National School Choice Week Around the Country

School Choice & Charters Photos

National School Choice Week Around the Country

By Kristen McNicholas — January 27, 2017 1 min read

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Parents, students, and administrators wave yellow scarfs as they take part in a rally in support of school choice on Jan. 24 in Austin, Texas. — Parents, students, and administrators wave yellow scarfs as they take part in a rally in support of school choice on Jan. 24 in Austin, Texas.
Eric Gay/AP

This past week there have been approximately 20,000 demonstrations across the country in honor of National School Choice Week. The purpose of the week, according to the National School Choice Week website, is to raise public awareness of choice education options. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.

President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Education nominee, Betsy DeVos, is a strong proponent of school choice. The Senate is still reviewing her for confirmation.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is framed by the Elite College Prep Academy band as he speaks during a rally in support of school choice on the steps of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24 in Austin, Texas. — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is framed by the Elite College Prep Academy band as he speaks during a rally in support of school choice on the steps of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24 in Austin, Texas.
Eric Gay/AP

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a rally in support of school choice on the steps of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2017, in Austin , Texas. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a rally in support of school choice on the steps of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 24, 2017, in Austin , Texas.
Eric Gay/AP

Students from Wallflower Elementary sing on the steps of City Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 24, , during a rally to mark National School Choice Week. — Students from Wallflower Elementary sing on the steps of City Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 24, , during a rally to mark National School Choice Week.
Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP

Sixth-grader Sam Ross cheers for his school, the Evangelical Christian School, on Jan. 24 during a school choice rally on the steps of City Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo. — Sixth-grader Sam Ross cheers for his school, the Evangelical Christian School, on Jan. 24 during a school choice rally on the steps of City Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP

School choice advocates gather at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., to celebrate National School Choice Week. — School choice advocates gather at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., to celebrate National School Choice Week.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP

New Jerusalem Christian Academy 3rd grade students Kaniya Brown, 8, left, and Ashten Hobson, center, and Kriscian Myers II, both 9, look out at school choice rally activities in the rotunda from the Governor’s office balcony at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Jan. 24. — New Jerusalem Christian Academy 3rd grade students Kaniya Brown, 8, left, and Ashten Hobson, center, and Kriscian Myers II, both 9, look out at school choice rally activities in the rotunda from the Governor’s office balcony at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Jan. 24.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Jeff Laszloffy of the Montana Family Foundation speaks to a crowd of students and lawmakers gathered for a school choice rally in Helena, Mont., on Jan. 25. Laszloffy and other advocates say they are determined to make charter schools and other school choice programs part of Montana’s education system. — Jeff Laszloffy of the Montana Family Foundation speaks to a crowd of students and lawmakers gathered for a school choice rally in Helena, Mont., on Jan. 25. Laszloffy and other advocates say they are determined to make charter schools and other school choice programs part of Montana’s education system.
Matt Volz/AP

Kristen McNicholas

Staff, Education Week

Kristen McNicholas is a former staffer for Education Week.

A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

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