Students will celebrate National School Choice Week by getting to know their legislators and holding a celebratory rally on the steps of the state capitol.

The rally, planned for Wednesday, January 25 at noon, on the capitol steps, will feature student performances and school choice testimonials from students using all forms of education. Montana Speaker of the House Austin Knudsen and Jeff Laszloffy, president and CEO of the Montana Family Foundation, will speak.

The goal of the event is to bring families who use school choice together with legislators to share success stories and celebrate opportunity in education. 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 Montana Family Foundation believes that every child has the right to find their perfect educational fit,” Jeff Laszloffy, president and CEO of Montana Family Foundation said. “Whether you’re new to the idea of school choice or you’re already familiar with the concept, you’re invited to attend the rally. Come learn about school choice, why it’s needed in Montana, and how we can make that happen.”

“Montana has unique opportunities when it comes to school choice because of our culture and rural communities” said Chris Polaske of the Central Montana Organization for the Advancement of Homeschoolers (CMOAH). “The growth of online and homeschooling groups is a great example of the fundamental principle of school choice: each student’s education options should accommodate his or her unique circumstances and talents. The one-size-fits-all model is antiquated and doesn’t fit Montana students.”

Event organizers include Family First Foundation, Montana School Choice Coalition, Foothills Christian School, Americans for Prosperity, ACE Scholarships, Central Montana Organization for the Advancement of Homeschoolers, and Montana Family Foundation.

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.