Moolenaar Introduces Legislation Celebrating National School Choice Week
Congressman John Moolenaar, co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, has introduced a resolution recognizing January 22 - January 28, 2023 as National School Choice Week.
“American students have fallen behind, with math and reading scores declining to the lowest levels in decades. Parents are frustrated and they deserve to have the best available options for their kids. They are looking for schools with the resources and curriculum that allow their children to reach their fullest potential. As co-chair of the School Choice Caucus, I am proud to stand with them in supporting parents’ rights and school choice for students,” said Congressman Moolenaar.
A version of the resolution has also been introduced in the Senate by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), the Senate co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus.
“From the rural poor to the inner cities, test scores are down even lower than they were pre-COVID. However, when parents have the choice to send their child to a school that best fit their needs, their kids have a chance,” said Senator Scott. “A good education is the closest thing to magic in America. It creates viable options for all families regardless of socioeconomic status. By equipping and empowering families with the ability to choose educational opportunities best suited for their children – public charter schools, parochial schools, homeschooling and more - we are prioritizing the success of students and our nation.”
Original cosponsors of Moolenaar's legislation are Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC), chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; Rep. Rick Allen (GA); Rep. Bryon Donalds (FL); Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC); Rep. Mark Green (TN); Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN); Rep. Darrell Issa (CA); Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (NJ); Rep. Mike Kelly (PA); Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA); Rep. Julia Letlow (LA); Rep. Nancy Mace (SC); Rep. Lisa McClain (MI); Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA); Rep. Ralph Norman (SC); Rep. Burgess Owens (UT); Rep. Michelle Steel (CA); Rep. Tim Walberg (MI); Rep. Michael Waltz (FL); Rep. Randy Weber Sr. (TX); Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH); Rep. Brandon Williams (NY); and Rep. Joe Wilson (SC).
Original cosponsors of Scott's legislation are Senator Mike Braun (IN), Senator Bill Cassidy (LA), Senator John Cornyn (TX), Senator Tom Cotton (AR), Senator Kevin Cramer (ND), Senator Ted Cruz (TX), Senator Steve Daines (MT), Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA), Senator Lindsay Graham (SC), Senator Bill Hagerty (TN), Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Senator Ron Johnson (WI), Senator James Lankford (OK), Senator Mitch McConnell (KY), Senator Mitt Romney (UT), Senator Marco Rubio (FL), Senator Rick Scott (FL), and Senator Thom Tillis (NC).
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H.Res. 51
Expressing support for the designation of the week of January 22 through
January 28, 2023, as ‘‘National School Choice Week’’.
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of the week of January 22 through January 28, 2023, 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 13th annual National School Choice Week, held the week of January 22 through January 28, 2023: 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;
(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.