January 30, 2020

AF CommunityPolicy

Celebrate National School Choice Week with AF

By: Rhachel Toombs

Every student and teacher is unique. They have their own interests, ways of learning/teaching, and educational priorities. Unfortunately, a lot of students have no say in where and how they are educated, or who educates them. Many teachers, likewise, have no say in where and how they educate and, without other educational employment options, are stuck at the same schools with the same pay and benefits, regardless of how talented they are and how much they benefit students and families. 

Historically, only the wealthy have had the option to send their children to the best schools, based on their children’s unique aptitudes, interests, and learning styles. Only teachers with the best connections and luck have had the luxury of choosing where and who to teach. In our modern society, however, we’re fighting to ensure that every family and teacher, regardless of income and location, has the privilege to choose. 

All over the country, AF chapters are celebrating National School Choice Week and taking a look at what advocates are doing to make sure every student can access the education they need. Last night in Jackson, Mississippi, AF hosted Empower Mississippi to discuss their efforts in promoting school choice. 

Tonight, AFF-Milwaukee is hosting Libby Sobic and CJ Szafir of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty to discuss and answer questions on how beneficial school choice has been for the state. Meanwhile, AFF-Rhode Island is having a discussion led by Justin Katz of the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity to assess the current situation with school choice in the Ocean State. And tomorrow afternoon  in Dallas, AF is hosting two policy experts and former teachers, Emily Sass and Whitney Munro, on the state of Texas educational choice and what improvements can be made.

We hope wherever you are, you’ll be celebrating school choice all week long!