WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined his colleagues to introduce a resolution supporting National School Choice Week. 

“As a former school board member I understand that state and local governments are best equipped to make education decisions for their communities – not Washington. Students and parents deserve to choose the education that meets their needs. I’m committed to empowering parents with the ability to choose the best education options for their children. I’m proud to support this resolution and the outstanding educational choices that Arkansas offers,” Boozman said. 

The resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is also cosponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and David Vitter (R-LA). 

The following is full text of the resolution:

Designating the week of January 25 through January 31, 2015, 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 the United States is home to high-quality K-12 education environments of all varieties, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and home schooling;

Whereas talented teachers and school leaders in all of these education environments are preparing children to achieve their dreams; 

Whereas more families than ever before in the United States are actively choosing the best education for their children;

Whereas greater public awareness of the issue of parental choice in education can inform additional families about the benefits of proactively choosing challenging, motivating, and effective education environments for their children;

Whereas the process of parents choosing schools for their children is nonpolitical, nonpartisan, and deserving of the utmost respect; and

Whereas hundreds of organizations, more than 9,000 schools, and millions of individuals in the United States will celebrate the benefits of educational choice during the fifth annual National School Choice Week, which will be held the week of January 25 through January 31, 2015: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate –

(1) designates the week of January 25 through January 31, 2015, as ‘‘National School Choice

(2) congratulates the 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 2 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 about the benefits of opportunity in education.