Events to mark School Choice Week

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio is among states marking National School Choice Week with an historic number of events this year.

Beginning Sunday, more than 16,000 events are planned across the U.S. – the largest series of education-related events to date. That includes 719 events across Ohio. Republican Gov. John Kasich who’s also a presidential contender, has issued an official proclamation in support.

Supporters say the goal of the week is to raise awareness of effective education options for children, primarily alternatives to traditional public schools. Alternatives include public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning and home schooling.

In the Mahoning Valley, the Ohio Virtual Academy is sponsoring a School Choice and Winter Welcome on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Camelot Lanes in Boardman.

This event will feature a winter welcome for mid-year enrollees and bowling with pizza. Contact the Ohio Virtual Academy for more information.

The statewide events follow a sweeping rewrite of state charter-school laws last year and continued scrutiny of Ohio’s Office of School Choice in the wake of its director’s resignation.

For more information, go to www.schoolchoiceweek.com.