More than 80 rallies and other events are planned in Iowa as part of National School Choice Week, which starts next Sunday. Andrew Campanella is president of the countrywide effort, which focuses on giving parents the ability to make important educational decisions for their children.  “School choice is simply the process of empowering parents to choose the best schools for their kids,” Campanella says. “Parents should be able to choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online academies, private schools, and have the freedom to home-school their kids.”

He applauds Iowa as a “national leader” in providing options to parents. “The state has open enrollment in traditional public schools and that allows parents to choose schools that may be in different school districts,” Campanella says. “There is a private school choice program allowing parents to receive tuition assistance if they cannot afford a private school for their child. There is a statewide online academy, there are magnet schools and there are charter schools.”

Home-schooling is yet another option in Iowa. Campanella says he’s very impressed by the state’s efforts. “I look at Iowa as a great example of what a rural state should be doing in terms of providing parents with a good number of educational options for their kids.” At least 87 events are planned across Iowa during the last week of this month as part of School Choice Week, including a rally in Des Moines that Governor Branstad is scheduled to attend.

Campanella says, “Other events will include rallies at schools, open houses so parents can learn more about their education options for next school year, round table discussions, movie screenings, so many different types of events.” More than 10,000 events are planned nationwide during the week, January 25-31. Learn more at the website: www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

(Radio Iowa)