Nearly 1,500 Expected at State Capitol Rally for School Choice

Parents, students, teachers, and community leaders plan to
celebrate National School Choice Week at the capitol

LINCOLN, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nearly 1,500 Nebraskans will join Gov. Pete Ricketts for a major rally
at the state capitol in a strong show of support for educational
opportunity during National School Choice Week.

On Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 11 a.m., school choice supporters will
be joined by Governor Pete Ricketts as they gather in the West Plaza of
the state capitol to show support for educational opportunity. Speakers
will include Governor Ricketts as well as other policy leaders,
students, parents, and school leaders, delivering real-life examples of
how offering excellent quality school choice has led to huge growth and
opportunity for some Nebraska students.

The goal of the event is to raise the profile of support for educational
opportunity across the state. The celebration is timed to coincide with
National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature
more than 21,000 events across the country.

“The huge numbers planning to attend this event reflect the widespread
opinion that it’s time for school choice in Nebraska,” said Tom Venzor
of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. “Our Catholic school families and
thousands more families who seek to have their children in the best
school possible believe that National School Choice Week is a great
opportunity to amplify our message.”

“At the LEARN coalition, we are fighting so that every child can attend
a school that promotes their precious gifts and talents. Our mission is
to make the future of every student brighter by tapping into their
potential,” said Clarice Jackson of the LEARN Coalition. “School choice
dovetails with that mission by making the educational system responsive
and accountable to every student.”

Immediately following the celebration on the capitol steps, several of
the partners will host a press conference in the capitol rotunda.

Event planners include Educate Nebraska, School Choice Lincoln, Nebraska
Catholic Conference, LEARN Coalition, Infinite 8 Institute, American
Federation for Children, Americans for Prosperity—Nebraska, and the
Platte Institute.

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 more than 21,000
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

School Choice Lincoln
Rachel Terry, 402-570-1894
tolmanterry@gmail.com