Celebration of educational options will take place January 22-28, 2012

MUSKEGON, Michigan (October 24, 2011) -- Hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of Americans from across the nation will celebrate National School Choice Week (www.SchoolChoiceWeek.com) in just three months. The Week will take place from January 22 through January 28, 2012.

While the number of celebrations planned for 2012 is already expected to exceed those held in 2011, organizers today called on education reform supporters from across the country to develop even more events and activities that showcase the need for, and benefits of, enhanced educational options for children.

"Everyone who believes that school choice is one of the single most important issues of our time should find a way to get involved in National School Choice Week 2012," said the Week's executive director, Kyle Olson. "As last year's events demonstrated, there truly is strength in numbers for school choice supporters. Planning a National School Choice Week activity is an impactful way to immediately educate and improve your community."

Planners say that National School Choice Week provides an unprecedented opportunity for individuals and groups from across the educational spectrum to advance the view that parents should be empowered to choose from a multitude of educational options for their children -- including public schools, public charter schools, private schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, and homeschooling.

In 2011, educators, parents, advocates, nonprofit organizations and lawmakers held hundreds of events to celebrate the Week-- everything from in-home community gatherings to rallies that attracted thousands of participants. In total, more than 150 events were held in 40 states and the District of Columbia, with the governors of 10 states officially recognizing the week. Celebrities, including Bill Cosby and Jon Secada, joined in the commemoration and issued clarion calls for greater educational options for families.

Following the week, legislators from across the country passed an unprecedented number of education reform measures.

To learn more about events scheduled for your area or learn how to plan one, visit www.SchoolChoiceWeek.com.