More than 1,000 Supporters Plan to Celebrate National School Choice Week at Capitol Rally in Lincoln on 1/28

Support for educational opportunity brings together Governor
Ricketts, students, parents, teachers, and community leaders for rally
at Nebraska State Capitol

LINCOLN, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than 1,000 students, parents, and teachers are expected to gather
on the Capitol steps on Thursday, January 28, to show their support for
educational opportunity.

The rally, which begins at 10 a.m., will feature supporters of school
choice from across the state, Governor Ricketts, State Senator Krist,
and school leaders from many types of educational options – traditional
public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home schools. The program
will also feature a performance of the National School Choice Week dance
by the S.D. Soldiers Dance Unit.

The goal of the event is to demonstrate unprecedented support for school
choice in the Cornhusker State. The celebration is timed to coincide
with National School Choice Week (January 24-30, 2016), which will be
America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education, with
more than 16,000 events being planned.

“Nebraska is passionate about school choice,” said Deb Portz of School
Choice Lincoln. “The fact that hundreds of families are celebrating
educational opportunity this National School Choice Week demonstrates
the momentum this issue has around the state. There’s no better time to
examine and expand school choice for Nebraska students than the present.”

“Educate Nebraska is excited to shine a spotlight on school choice in
our state this National School Choice Week,” said Katie Linehan of
Educate Nebraska. “This celebration offers the opportunity to start
conversations across the state about our students’ educational
opportunities.”

“At Voice Advocacy Center, we see every day that a one-size-fits-all
approach to education doesn’t work for every student,” said Clarice
Jackson of the LEARN Coalition. “School choice can offer hope and a
chance to thrive for students who are struggling in the traditional
model. I’m excited to be a part of spotlighting that opportunity in
Nebraska.”

Event planners include Platte Institute, School Choice Lincoln, Educate
Nebraska, LEARN Coalition, Americans for Prosperity, Nebraska Catholic
Conference, Catholic Schools, American Federation for Children, Nebraska
Christian Home Educators Association, and Nebraska District LCMS Schools.

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 thousands of 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.

Contacts

Educate Nebraska
Katie Linehan, 402-915-3257
Katie@EducateNebraska.org