Moolenaar, Walberg, Owens, and Scott Introduce Resolution Recognizing National School Choice Week
Congressman John Moolenaar, the co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, along with Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT) introduced House Resolution 63, to recognize January 26 - February 1 as National School Choice Week. The resolution will also be introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Moolenaar's fellow co-chair of the School Choice Caucus.
"Parents and students deserve to have the chance to pursue the best education available to them, one that provides the best environment for learning. School choice gives students the opportunity to achieve their highest potential with an education that fits their needs. Recent years have shown again how important it is for parents to have a role in their child's education. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues as we introduce this resolution to recognize parents' rights," said Congressman Moolenaar.
“During school choice week, we celebrate the transformative impact education freedom has on the lives of so many students and families. But school choice week also serves as a stark reminder that the magic of a quality education is still out of reach to countless children who desperately need it,” said Senator Scott. “Leaving our kids’ education and the future of America’s children to chance is simply not an option. Transforming our nation’s education system and ensuring every child has access to a quality education must be our call to action every single day.”
“This week and every week we celebrate empowering families by giving them the opportunity to choose what school will best suit their child’s unique needs. Thanks to school choice policies, students have a wide range of options and are not limited by their zip code. Our children are our future; it is our duty to ensure they have access to a high-quality education. I applaud Rep. Moolenaar for introducing this education freedom resolution,” said Chairman Walberg.
"Millions of kids in failing school districts can’t meet basic reading and writing standards, and our national test scores are plummeting. Our education system is failing America’s students, and school choice is how we turn it around. Parents should have the power to make the best decisions for their kids, and students should have access to an education that fits their needs, not one determined by their zip code. During School Choice Week, we continue the fight to ensure every family is empowered and every child has the opportunity to reach their God-given potential," said Congressman Owens.
In the House of Representatives, Moolenaar's legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Randy Weber (R-TX), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Dale Strong (R-AL), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Riley Moore (R-WV), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Tim Moore (R-NC), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Tom Barrett (R-MI), Mark Green (R-TN), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), John James (R-MI), Cory Mills (R-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), John McGuire (R-VA), and Ben Cline (R-VA).
The text of Moolenaar's resolution can be found below.
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H. RES. 63
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of the week of January 26 through February 1, 2025, as ‘‘National School Choice Week’’.
Whereas providing a diversity of choices in K–12 education empowers parents to select education environments that meet the individual needs and strengths of their children;
Whereas high-quality K–12 education environments of all varieties are available in the United States, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and home schooling;
Whereas talented teachers and school leaders in each of the education environments prepare children to achieve their dreams;
Whereas more families than ever before in the United States actively choose the best education for their children;
Whereas more public awareness of the issue of parental choice in education can inform additional families of the benefits of proactively choosing challenging, motivating, and effective education environments for their children;
Whereas the process by which parents choose schools for their children is nonpolitical, nonpartisan, and deserves the utmost respect; and
Whereas tens of thousands of events are planned to celebrate the benefits of educational choice during the 14th annual National School Choice Week, held the week of January through February 1, 2025: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National School Choice Week’’;
(2) congratulates students, parents, teachers, and school leaders from K–12 education environments of all varieties for their persistence, achievements, dedication, and contributions to society in the United States;
(3) encourages all parents, during National School Choice Week, to learn more about the education options available to them; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States to hold appropriate programs, events, and activities during National School Choice Week to raise public awareness of the benefits of opportunity in education.