WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., have joined colleagues to introduce a resolution designating January 23-29, 2022, as National School Choice Week.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith also championed a separate measure which advocates for the right to school choice for families and parents.

“Parents have a fundamental right to shape their children’s education, and school choice is an important way to exercise that right,” Wicker said. “Our children and future leaders deserve the best educational opportunities available, no matter their circumstances. At a time when public education is under siege from far-left identity politics and heavy-handed school closures, empowering parents to choose where their children go to school is all the more vital in developing the next generation of Americans.”

“With these resolutions, we promote the benefits of school choice and the need to strengthen the options available to families in Mississippi and across the nation. Parents should be allowed to direct their children to schools that best suit their needs, particularly as they weigh the stresses placed on education by the pandemic, the overt or covert introduction of controversial ideologies like Critical Race Theory, and intrusive government mandates,” Hyde-Smith said.

“We are grateful for this bipartisan recognition of National School Choice Week and our positive focus on raising awareness of the traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, and home education options available to families across our country. National School Choice Week is a time to empower parents with information and inspiration, and an opportunity to celebrate the success of students and the dedication of America's hardworking educators,” said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week.

Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., introduced the bipartisan National School Choice Week Resolution, which 26 Senators cosponsored. Click here to read the resolution.

Senator James Lankford, R-Okla., introduced the school choice empowerment resolution, which 10 Senators cosponsored. It is supported by Heritage Action, ParentalRights.org, Center for Urban Renewal and Education, American Conservative Union, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Family Policy Alliance, American Association of Christian Schools, Association of Christian Schools International, First Liberty Institute, Alliance for Defending Freedom, American Center for Law and Justice, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and Family Research Council. Click here to read the resolution.