Enriching Education: School Choice Week

Today marks the beginning of National School Choice Week. It's also National Lutheran Schools Week (I teach in a Lutheran school, as does my mother) and Celebrate Catholic Schools Week (my husband used to work in a Catholic school). This week has a lot of meaning for me personally - I homeschool, and I have taught in charter and public and private online schools; as a teacher, I've never wanted to work in a traditional public school, nor have a wanted to send my kids to one. There are a great many excellent public schools, but I prefer the options that are available outside of the standard public school setting.

Public schools tend to be the default option, and they are the easy option. Don't get me wrong - public schools need support from families. But they aren't the best option for every family. That's why I was happy to do an interview with Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week.

Why is it so important for parents to be aware of their options when it comes to school choice?

Every child is unique, and kids learn in different ways. Parents know their children better than anyone else on earth. They know their interests, talents, and challenges. When parents can find schools that best meet their children's needs, students have a better chance of learning, succeeding, and finding happiness in school. These are all of the reasons that it is important for families to know what options are available for their children's education –– because many families across the country have more choices for their children today than they've ever had in the past.

How did National School Choice Week get started?

National School Choice Week got started ten years ago, when parents and supporters of opportunity in K-12 education recognized that there was a need to raise awareness, equally, of all types of school choice options, so that parents could discover their options and schools could celebrate what made them unique. Before NSCW, "school choice" was often defined by specific types of schools or policies, rather than as a process that families undertake for their children.

How can parents of non-traditional schools help make their communities more aware of the good things happening in their schools?

We hope families will use National School Choice Week to share their stories! Tell other parents about your school choice journey, post about your children's schools on social media, recognize and thank teachers at your child's school, and be the inspiration for other families who are pursuing their own school searches. There are so many great things happening in all types of schools across the U.S. (and in the world of homeschooling, too!) and parents can truly help shine a positive spotlight on their children's learning environments and help celebrate them. 

Andrew wrote The School Choice Roadmap, a book designed to be a guide for parents who are overwhelmed by all the options out there, and need a clear, no-nonsense guide to what educational options might be available to them. The School Choice Roadmap includes worksheets and exercises designed to help moms and dads harness their parental expertise, put their own educational experiences in context, evaluate their children's strengths, identify what they need and want from a school, develop and refine lists of local schools, and get ready for school tours. 

Learn more:
Twitter:     @roadmapbook

Facebook:  @schoolchoiceroadmap

Instagram:  @schoolchoiceroadmap