WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), co-chairs of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, led their colleagues in introducing a resolution designating January 21 through January 27, 2024, as National School Choice Week.

“It is unacceptable that today – in the United States of America – millions of kids who grew up just like I did still lack access to quality education simply because of their zip code,” said Senator Scott. “We cannot leave our kids’ education and the future of America’s children to chance. Instead, 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.” 

“Students and their parents deserve the ability to choose the best education available to them. Unfortunately, some are trapped in a failing system where test scores in reading and math have fallen to the lowest levels in decades,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “America’s students must be able to pursue the educational opportunities that are best for them. My colleagues and I are proud to stand with them in introducing this legislation recognizing parental rights and school choice.” 

“Children should have every opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of income or zip code. School choice provides this opportunity,” said Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Ranking Member Dr. Bill Cassidy. “This National School Choice Week, we celebrate parents’ ability to make the best educational decisions for their family.” 

In the Senate, this resolution is cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R- Ky.), and Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

The House resolution has 50 cosponsors.

Click here to read the full resolution.

BACKGROUND 

Senator Scott will be celebrating National School Choice Week with a series of events and initiatives:

• Today, Senator Scott was joined by South Carolina Superintendent Ellen Weaver on a school visit to Orange Grove Charter School in Charleston; and 
• On Wednesday, Sen. Scott will host a reception for national school choice leaders and students in Washington, D.C.

Senator Scott has fought to provide all Americans access to a quality education by:

• Introducing the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, which affirms parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child;
• Slamming Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Board of Education President Jianan Shi for the city’s recently passed resolution that could eliminate school choice for Chicago families, strip minority and low-income students of their preferred high schools and widen the achievement gap;
• Hosting the largest ever National School Choice Week Student Rally at the U.S. Capitol last year, which was attended by more than 300 students from 10 D.C.-area public charter and private schools;
• Leading two bipartisan Senate resolutions – National Charter School Week and National School Choice Week – both of which unanimously passed in 2023, raising attention to critical education issues and priorities;
• Securing House passage of his Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act to protect parental rights and ensure parents remain the lead decision makers in their child’s life;
• When the Biden administration took steps to undermine charter schools, leading the fight to protect high-quality, tuition-free charter schools that serve disadvantaged students;
• Championing the Educational Choice for Children Act to expand educational freedom and opportunity for millions of students by creating $10 billion annually in scholarships for K-12 students; and
• Introducing the CHOICE Act to give more than 6.2 million students nationwide, primarily students from military and low-income families and students with disabilities, access to a quality education of their choosing.