Hundreds of Vermonters to Show School Choice Support in Montpelier

A day of events featuring a broad coalition of school choice supporters will take place at the Vermont State House during National School Choice Week.

The event, planned for January 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will feature a rally outside of the statehouse and speaking program inside the Capitol Plaza. Students will gather at the Capitol Theater to start the day and head to the Statehouse at 10:00 a.m. for a program including Education Innovator Awards. At 11:30, the group will hold a press conference on the Statehouse lawn. The day will conclude with lunch at the Capitol Plaza and legislative visits. More than 500 people are expected to participate and attend events at the Vermont State House and Capitol Plaza.

The goal of the event is to spotlight the importance of school choice to Vermont students and families. The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 21-27, 2018), which will feature more than 32,000 events across the country.

“National School choice week celebration is a great opportunity to recognize a 150-year history of tuitioning and school choice in Vermont,” said Brad Ferland, Vermont co-chair for the event. “School choice has offered thousands of Vermont children an opportunity to learn and flourish in an environment that is most suited for their talents and needs. It’s imperative that Vermont retain school choice options in our state, rather than let them be permanently lost in many of the school consolidations. We are very excited that National School Choice Week can highlight and honor Vermont's accomplishments and history, both in public and independent schools.”

Event organizers include many parents, local leaders, and Vermont Future Now.

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 32,000 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.

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