Nearly 1,500 Nebraskans will join Gov. Pete Ricketts for a major rally at the state capitol in a strong show of support for educational opportunity during National School Choice Week.

On Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 11 a.m., school choice supporters will be joined by Governor Pete Ricketts as they gather in the West Plaza of the state capitol to show support for educational opportunity. Speakers will include Governor Ricketts as well as other policy leaders, students, parents, and school leaders, delivering real-life examples of how offering excellent quality school choice has led to huge growth and opportunity for some Nebraska students.

The goal of the event is to raise the profile of support for educational opportunity across the state. The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country.

“The huge numbers planning to attend this event reflect the widespread opinion that it’s time for school choice in Nebraska,” said Tom Venzor of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. “Our Catholic school families and thousands more families who seek to have their children in the best school possible believe that National School Choice Week is a great opportunity to amplify our message.”

“At the LEARN coalition, we are fighting so that every child can attend a school that promotes their precious gifts and talents. Our mission is to make the future of every student brighter by tapping into their potential,” said Clarice Jackson of the LEARN Coalition. “School choice dovetails with that mission by making the educational system responsive and accountable to every student.”

Immediately following the celebration on the capitol steps, several of the partners will host a press conference in the capitol rotunda.

Event planners include Educate Nebraska, School Choice Lincoln, Nebraska Catholic Conference, LEARN Coalition, Infinite 8 Institute, American Federation for Children, Americans for Prosperity—Nebraska, and the Platte Institute.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.