More Than 4,000 Expected to Rally at State Capitol for School Choice

AUSTIN, TX- During National School Choice Week (NSCW), more than 4,000 people are expected to march on the capitol in Austin to show their support for expanding school choice options. A press release explaining this event explained, “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 will take place Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. on the south steps of the capitol in Austin.

“This will be the fifth annual rally to celebrate NSCW in Texas,” the press release stated. “Each year the rally – and the momentum for school choice in Texas – continues to grow dramatically.”

The goal of the rally is to focus attention of the state towards 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 NSCW (Jan, 22-28), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country as well as the legislative session,” said the press release.

“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."

This event is organized by Texas Private Schools Association, Texas Homeschool Coalition, Texas Charter Schools Association, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, 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.

NSCW is held every January and 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, NSCW raises public awareness of all type of educational choices available to children,” said the press release. “These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools and homeschooling.”