School Choice Week began in Illinois and across America this Sunday, with the goal of raising awareness about the options that parents have for their children's education.

The Week will feature 1,037 events and activities across the Prairie State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations.

Nationwide, 32,240 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 21-27, 2018), and nearly 7 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history.

The Week brings attention to the different education environments that are available for Illinois’s 3 million children. For example, families in Illinois can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The state also offers a private school choice program.

Governor Bruce Rauner issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 21-27 as Illinois School Choice Week. In addition, the counties of Clinton, Monroe, and Will and the cities of Arlington Heights, Bloomington, Carmi, Chester, Madison, Nashville, Peru, Polo, Spring Valley, St. Elmo, Sumner, Waterloo, Zeigler, Ela, Minnoka, Peoria, Prospect Heights, Waukegan, Bolingbrook, Cambridge, Chebanse, Deer Park, Diamond, Island Lake, Lake in the Hills, Plainfield, Richmond, Rossville, and Wheeling have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

Celebrated since 2011, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. The Week is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and it is not related to any legislative advocacy campaign.

“Families in Illinois have more options for their children’s education than ever before, and there are more School Choice Week events in Illinois this week than ever before, too,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. “National School Choice Week is a time for parents throughout the state to look into their school options, and for schools, homeschool groups, and community organizations to shine a positive spotlight on the importance of effective education.”

To download a guide to school choice in Illinois, or to learn more about featured events in the Prairie State, visit https://schoolchoiceweek.com/states/illinois.

For information on events planned near you, please send us an email with information about your coverage area to pressoffice@schoolchoiceweek.com.

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a spotlight on effective education options for children. National School Choice Week celebrates all types of school options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. Learn more at www.schoolchoiceweek.com or highlight school choice on social media using hashtag #schoolchoice.