What are National School Choice Week Proclamations?

National School Choice Week (NSCW) is the largest celebration of education opportunities and highlights the importance of empowering families to choose the best educational environments for their children. This effort stands out due to its empowering approach, offering families information on learning options while celebrating the achievements of students and educators nationwide. The Week’s events highlight collaboration among schools, families, and community organizations to expand educational opportunities for all.

From traditional public schools to charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online schools, homeschooling, and nontraditional learning environments, NSCW celebrates all types of learning opportunities, ensuring that every family and student feels included and valued.

Why Are State Leaders Proclaiming National School Choice Week?

Every last week of January, millions of families, educators, and advocates participate in various events, meetings, and activities — from rallies to celebrations in state capitals and more — to promote school choice and educational opportunities. Part of this week-long celebration is gubernatorial proclamations, which are official announcements recognizing a date or occasion to bring the community’s attention to an important topic that a group of people want to bring awareness to and officially recognize.

Gubernatorial proclamations of School Choice Week are official statements issued by state governors to recognize School Choice Week in their state and its importance for the citizens they govern. These proclamations emphasize the importance of providing families with various educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online schools, and homeschooling, and give bigger reach to the conversation regarding all types of school choice. 

These proclamations are impactful in many ways:

Raising awareness

Proclamations highlight the importance of education options, helping families discover programs they might not have considered. 

Fostering unity

By participating in this national effort, state leaders join a broader conversation about improving educational opportunities for every child, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among all community members.

Inspiring action 

Acknowledging School Choice Week motivates community leaders to continue working toward solutions that expand access and address challenges in education, empowering families, and instilling hope for expanded educational opportunities.

State leaders across the political spectrum often issue proclamations recognizing School Choice Week to highlight their commitment to ensuring every child has access to the learning environment that best suits their needs. Having state leaders proclaim School Choice Week in their state often leads to conversations about raising awareness about education solutions. In many states, the relationships built during this process have led to collaborations and efforts that benefit families directly.

Why NSCW Proclamations Matter

Proclamations from state leaders help anchor the vision and show that providing education options is a priority at every level. For families that feel uncertain about or overwhelmed by their options, proclamations can reassure them that their concerns are being heard and valued. A state School Choice Week proclamation can show unsure families that they’re not navigating their school choice journey alone and that their voices matter in shaping education in their state. 

Beyond reassuring families in the state, these recognitions also energize advocates and educators, reminding them that their efforts make a difference in families’ day-to-day lives. By shining a light on successful schools, programs, and student outcomes, these proclamations inspire hope and action on all levels. These acknowledgements are a bright reminder that everyone’s contribution to bringing awareness to education options–whether big or small–are interconnected and important in expanding education solutions.

Proclamations vs. Legislative Actions

While proclamations from state leaders are powerful resources in raising awareness about school choice in their states, they don’t quite equate to legislative actions. Instead, proclamations serve as symbolic reminders of education options and set the stage for concrete solutions. In short, School Choice Week proclamations are the first step in guaranteeing expanded education options for families, creating space for these actions to take place. 

A Reminder of Impact

Proclamations issued for School Choice Week bring visibility and momentum and unite communities around empowering families, educators, and community leaders. State leaders issuing proclamations send a strong message to families that their voices remain at the heart of the mission. As communities come together to join in on the NSCW celebration, School Choice Week proclamations remind us of the importance of inspiring families and empowering them with the tools they need to pick the best educational fit for their children.